Non-essential hill cutting banned in Sirmaur dist

To prevent ecological damage and safeguard lives during the ongoing monsoon season, Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Priyanka Verma, has issued orders banning all non-essential hill cutting activities across the district until August 31.

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The directive clearly states that except for projects related to disaster risk reduction, restoration of disaster-hit infrastructure and essential public utilities such as roads, drinking water, electricity and emergency services, no private construction or non-urgent developmental activity involving hill excavation will be permitted during this period.

DC Verma emphasised that the temporary prohibition aims to minimise risks to human lives, property and vital infrastructure. It is also intended to protect Sirmaur’s fragile ecological environment from further degradation amid heavy rains and increased vulnerability to landslides, erosion and other natural hazards.

The order is applicable across the district and binds all executing agencies, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Paonta Sahib, all Sub-Divisional Magistrates and heads of various government departments. Officials have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order until the end of August.