Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu seeks report on illegal felling of pine trees in Sirmaur

Shimla: After a video showing the felling of hundreds of pine trees in the Shillai nagar panchayat area of Sirmaur district surfaced on social media, chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Friday sought a detailed report from the forest department.The video raised concerns about possible illegal tree cutting on private land, prompting the CM to direct officials to investigate the matter.
According to the divisional forest officer (DFO), Sangrah, Baldev Raj Kandeta, the forest department had granted permission to cut only 25 pine trees in the area. However, complaints suggested that a significantly larger number of trees might have been felled by the private landowners.The DFO said the department would conduct a thorough inquiry and strict action would be taken against anyone found violating the forest laws.Meanwhile, former BJP legislator from the Shillai constituency and the party's state spokesperson, Baldev Singh Tomar, alleged that around 300 to 400 pine trees were illegally felled near a petrol pump. He demanded strict action against those responsible and claimed that the individuals involved were being protected by the ruling Congress govt.Industries minister and Shillai MLA Harshwardhan Chauhan, however, dismissed the allegations, stating that the govt would take strict action if any illegal felling was confirmed.The landowners also defended themselves on social media, claiming they obtained the necessary permissions and the issue was being unnecessarily politicised.