Shimla, July 31: The controversy surrounding the felling of apple trees planted on forest land in Himachal Pradesh continues to escalate. The Supreme Court has recently stayed a Himachal High Court order that had directed the removal of illegally planted apple trees on forest land. While this offers temporary relief to orchardists, the issue remains far from resolved.
On July 29, farmers’ and orchardists’ associations held a protest march to the state secretariat, which was followed by a crucial meeting with the government. During the meeting, the orchardist groups presented their demands clearly. Veteran leader Rakesh Singha stated that this is not merely a matter of eviction but one that involves the state government’s right to allocate land. He pointed out that the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 (FCA-1980) resulted in grave injustice to Himachal Pradesh, and it’s time the state was granted full authority over land distribution.
Singha further said that following the government’s intervention, the indefinite protest has been put on hold for now. The state has assured farmers that any action regarding encroachment removal will follow a set timeline, and they will be given sufficient opportunity to auction their apple produce, ensuring they do not suffer financial losses.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also clarified that the government is not in favor of cutting down trees and is committed to safeguarding farmers’ interests through constructive measures. However, Singha warned that if both the central and state governments fail to take concrete steps soon, farmers and orchardists will launch a nationwide agitation on August 13.
The issue strikes at the heart of Himachal’s agrarian and horticulture-driven economy, and in the coming days, its political and social impact is likely to deepen.
