Notice to forest secy over tree felling

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, May 25

Taking serious note over felling of deodar trees in McLeodganj for commercial activities, the High Court today directed the Secretary (Forests), the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and the Conservator of Forests, Kangra, to appear before it on June 2.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed these orders on a petition taken up suo motu by the court as a PIL petition on a letter written to the Chief Justice by Ghazala Abdullah.

The petitioner has alleged that a large number of trees are being felled in McLeodganj for the purpose of commercial activities. It was further alleged that the petitioner brought this matter to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Additional Superintendent of Police, Kangra, Municipal Council, Dharamsala, Forest Department, Dharamsala, Panchayat Pradhan, CID, but no action was taken by the authorities against the culprits.

The court directed the state authorities to file the report on the damage caused and listed the matter for June 2.

Chief Secy gets notice over illegal orchard

Expressing concern over raising apple orchards by encroaching upon the government land, the High Court has summoned three top officials, including Principal Secretary (Revenue), Principal Secretary (Forests) and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, on June 2. The court also issued notice to the Chief Secretary.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed these orders on a petition taken up suo motu by the court as PIL on a letter written to the Chief Justice by a resident of Chaithala village in Kotkhai, Shimla.

It was alleged in the letter that around 40 residents of Chaithala, Nagpuri Chaithala, Karewag Chaithala and Sevag Chaitala villages in Shimla district had raised apple orchards on around 500 bighas of government land. They have felled deodar trees and raised orchards. Some of them had even availed financial help from the government for constructing apple grading and packing house and water storage tanks.

The court also issued notices to the Director General of Police, Deputy Commissioner and SP Shimla, Director Horticulture and the Principal Secretary (I&PH) and directed them to file report on the damage caused to the land and listed the matter for June 2.