Shimla, September 20: In a significant development, the Himachal Pradesh forest department has amended rules pertaining to felling of dangerous trees. As per the latest orders, the DFO is now empowered to manage and execute the removal of dangerous trees under Rule-133. The change is expected to bring much relief to residents, as dangerous trees posing a threat to life and property will now be able to be felled more quickly and efficiently.
Earlier, after obtaining permission to cut trees, people had to depend on the Forest Development Corporation for the actual removal. This process was often delayed, especially in remote areas where the corporation’s resources were limited. The new orders aim to streamline the process, wherein the DFO will directly monitor the felling of dangerous trees and maintain a detailed record of all actions taken.
The state’s chief conservator of forests has also been directed to submit regular progress reports, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the implementation of the new rule. People who had to wait for long processes will greatly benefit from this streamlined system.
The decision to empower the DFOs comes after a letter was written by the State Forest Development Corporation to senior forest officials, highlighting the presence of dangerous trees across the state. In many cases, people had already obtained permission to cut these trees, but due to logistical challenges, the trees were left standing, posing a continued threat. The new guidelines by the forest department aim to address this issue by allowing the DFOs to take immediate action when required.
After the recent natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, many trees have become dangerous, posing a threat to homes, infrastructure and public safety. Many applications for felling trees under Rule-133 are pending, and the department’s previous dependence on the Forest Development Corporation contributed to the delays. The new rules now speed up the process, ensuring quick response time in emergencies.
The DFO has also been empowered to hire contractors and use internal resources to ensure that trees are felled safely and efficiently. Where direct management is not possible, alternative mechanisms can be deployed to mitigate the risk posed by these trees. This change in policy is expected to have a positive impact, especially in areas prone to landslides, heavy rainfall and other natural disasters, where unstable trees can pose a serious threat to life and property.
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