Illegal Deforestation and Mining in Himachal Fueling Natural Disasters Every Year: Rathore

Shimla, June 27:
Congress national spokesperson and sitting MLA, Kuldeep Singh Rathore, has raised serious concerns over illegal deforestation and mining activities in Himachal Pradesh, warning that these are major contributors to the recurring natural disasters the state faces each year. Speaking at a press conference in Shimla, Rathore urged his own party-led state government to act swiftly and decisively.

Rathore pointed to the large volumes of timber seen floating downriver in the aftermath of the recent cloudburst in Kullu as clear evidence of illegal logging in the region. “Similar scenes were witnessed during last year’s natural calamities as well. The recurrence of this pattern raises pressing questions—where is all this timber coming from?” he asked, calling for an immediate investigation into the matter.

He further stated that unregulated tree felling is rampant around sites of upcoming hydroelectric projects. “The indiscriminate clearing of forests in these areas is altering the ecological balance, making the region more vulnerable to disasters like cloudbursts and flash floods,” he said.

Rathore urged the state government to take a hard look at its environmental policies and clamp down on unlawful mining and deforestation. “We are paying the price of ecological neglect year after year. The government must treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves and take strong, proactive steps to curb environmental degradation,” he added.