Himachal Pradesh News
Shilai Tree Felling Controversy: Himachal Pradesh Government Forms Inquiry Panel After 300+ Pine Trees Cut in Hours
The Himachal Pradesh government has ordered a high-level inquiry after hundreds of pine trees were allegedly felled within a few hours in the Shilai area of Sirmaur district. The incident has sparked widespread concern across the region and triggered a political debate.
The Himachal Pradesh government has ordered a high-level inquiry after hundreds of pine trees were allegedly felled within a few hours in the Shilai area of Sirmaur district. The incident has sparked widespread concern across the region and triggered a political debate.
According to officials, the Forest Department headquarters has constituted a special inquiry committee to investigate the matter. The committee will be headed by Avani Bhushan Roy, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Nahan Forest Division, who has been tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the large-scale tree cutting.
Flying Squad Officer Included in Probe Team
Sources within the Forest Department said that the DFO of the Shimla-based Flying Squad has also been included in the committee to assist with the investigation. The team has been directed to carry out a detailed probe and submit its findings to senior authorities within 15 days.
The investigation has already begun. On Thursday, the committee led by the Nahan DFO visited the site in Shilai to conduct an initial inspection. Officials are expected to record statements from local residents and review documents related to the felling permission.
Forest Department employees from the concerned division may also be questioned during the investigation.
Timber Seized as Officials Measure the Extent of Tree Cutting
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has seized the timber from the site. Officials are currently measuring the wood to determine the exact number of trees that were cut and to assess the scale of the alleged violation.
The issue first gained public attention after Baldev Tomar, former BJP MLA from Shilai, shared drone footage on social media showing what appeared to be a large number of felled pine trees. The visuals quickly spread online and raised serious questions about possible illegal logging.
Political Reactions Intensify
Soon after the footage surfaced, the matter entered the political arena. The opposition raised concerns and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur called for a thorough investigation and warned that strict measures must be taken if irregularities are found.
Permission Expired, Yet Hundreds of Trees Cut
Preliminary information from the Forest Department suggests that the trees were located on private land near a petrol pump in Shilai. The landowner had earlier received permission to cut 25 pine trees, but that permission had already expired.
Despite this, officials say that 307 trees were reportedly cut on March 5, allegedly within just two to three hours using cutting machines. The number reportedly includes 306 pine trees and one tree of another species.
Authorities are now trying to determine how such large-scale felling could take place so quickly and who may have been involved in the operation.
The findings of the inquiry committee are expected to play a crucial role in determining accountability in what has now become one of the most talked-about environmental controversies in the region.
