Former MLA Ravi Thakur flags illegal Deodar felling in Manali forest reserve

Former Lahaul-Spiti MLA and senior BJP leader Ravi Thakur has raised serious allegations of large-scale and illicit felling of deodar trees in Himachal Pradesh’s ecologically fragile zones, particularly in Manali and parts of Lahaul-Spiti. In a formal representation to the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, Thakur has demanded the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe forest activities in these regions.

Thakur’s concerns stem from the aftermath of this year’s devastating monsoon season, during which large quantities of wooden logs and planks, primarily of deodar, were seen flowing through rivers and streams in different parts of Himachal. He alleged that the state government attributed this to natural disasters.

However, Thakur disputes this narrative, citing local concerns and objections raised by residents who suspect the logs were pre-cut and stockpiled before the rains. “Local residents believe these logs were not the result of nature’s fury but of human interference. It appears they were felled, chopped into planks, and the floods merely exposed the operation,” he alleged.

He further claimed that ongoing felling is being carried out under the supervision of the Forest Department in the reserve forest area of Manali. According to him, contractors and officials are misusing the pretext of infrastructure development and clearance of old trees to facilitate deforestation in this internationally renowned tourist region.

A similar case was cited in Salgram, Udaipur subdivision of Lahaul-Spiti, where locals had reported suspicious logging activities. Thakur said despite alerting the local administration, only a “mild case” was registered, allegedly with the intention to dilute the inquiry.

Thakur urged the Union Minister to take urgent action in public interest and form an SIT to investigate the alleged violations. “Development must not come at the cost of our forest heritage. These regions are environmentally sensitive and must be protected from any unlawful exploitation,” his letter stated.

The Forest Department has responded saying that the logs from dead trees, not illicit felling. In response to the concerns raised, Rajesh Sharma, DFO, Wildlife, Kullu, clarified that the logs seen in the Manali reserve forest area are not from illegally felled trees. According to the DFO, these are dead and dry deodar trees that are being disposed of through official departmental processes.

“The wood logs visible in the area are from old, dead trees and their disposal is being conducted as per standard forest protocols. The usable and waste components are being separated by the Forest Corporation under proper supervision,” the DFO stated.