Over 4,000 Apple and Pear Trees Cut in Kotkhai; Himachal Government to Move Supreme Court

Shimla, July 18:
In a major action to reclaim approximately 275 bighas of disputed forest land in Chaithla village, Kotkhai subdivision (Shimla district), the Himachal Pradesh administration has so far felled over 4,500 fruit-bearing trees—including apple and pear trees. Acting on orders from the Himachal High Court, the drive began on July 12. On Friday, July 18, the Forest Department removed another 228 trees in Pandhli village, further clearing encroachments from the land.

Responding to the situation, the state government has decided to challenge the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court. A high-level meeting chaired by Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi was held on Friday evening, where this decision was finalized. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also stated that the government is seriously reviewing the legal aspects of the order to safeguard the interests of farmers and orchardists.

The High Court had earlier directed the removal of illegally planted fruit trees on encroached forest land while hearing a related petition. Acting on this directive, the administration began felling trees on July 12—cutting around 100 apple trees on the first day, with a plan to eventually remove more than 3,800 trees. So far, 4,530 trees have been cut, affecting a large number of local growers.

The operation has involved police personnel, forest department staff, machinery, laborers, and a six-member reserve force. Despite the challenges posed by monsoon rains, the entire action was carried out without incident. In total, unauthorized encroachments by 57 individuals have been removed in Chaithla.

To maintain law and order during the drive, Shimla District Magistrate Anupam Kashyap had imposed a ban under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, prohibiting the possession and transport of both licensed and unlicensed weapons in the area from July 11 to July 18. Licensed weapon holders were instructed to deposit their arms at the Kotkhai Police Station by July 12. All weapons remained in custody until the end of the operation. Though authorities had anticipated resistance from locals, the clearance process concluded peacefully without any untoward incident.

However, the timing of the operation has come under scrutiny. Organizations like the Kisan Sabha, Apple Growers’ Association, and even Education Minister Rohit Thakur have raised concerns, saying that felling trees during the peak apple season will cause significant losses to orchardists. Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar also expressed dismay, suggesting that instead of cutting the fruit-bearing trees, the government should have taken control of the orchards and used the revenue for public welfare.