Himachal to investigate illegal helipads on forestland: Revenue Minister

Himachal Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi today said the state government would conduct an investigation into helipads allegedly constructed on forestland without mandatory Forest Conservation Act (FCA) clearance, including 16 helipads in Seraj area of Mandi district built during the previous BJP government. He asserted that strict legal action would follow if any violations are detected.

Addressing mediapersons here today, where he is currently overseeing preparations for the state government’s Jan Sankalp Sammelan scheduled for December 11 at Paddal Ground, Negi said the event would be “historic”, while accusing the BJP of attempting to politicise it. He said comprehensive arrangements had been put in place to ensure the rally’s success, where the government is expected to introduce new welfare schemes under its “Atmanirbhar Himachal” vision.

Launching a strong attack on the Opposition, the minister said the state had faced “two types of disasters — one natural and the other political”. He accused the BJP of trying to topple the democratically elected state government through misuse of money power. Despite the state suffering extensive damage due to devastating natural calamities in 2023, 2024 and 2025, Negi alleged that the Centre had shown bias by not releasing adequate relief funds for rehabilitation.

He reiterated that Himachal Pradesh was demanding its rightful share from the Centre, “not charity”, while claiming that BJP-ruled states were receiving preferential treatment. He also criticised the previous state government, alleging that it left behind a debt burden of Rs 75,000 crore and spent crores on works that had “no public benefit” in the run-up to its “Mission Repeat” campaign.

Negi said even the Rs 1,500 crore disaster relief package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dharamsala had not been fully released, nor had compensation promised to disaster-affected families reached them. According to him, no special package from the Centre had been granted for the 2023 natural disaster either.

Referring to encroachments on forest land, the minister confirmed that apart from the 16 helipads in Seraj Mandi, 55 roads lacking proper FRA clearances were also under scrutiny. He assured that the state government was committed to enforcing environmental laws and ensuring accountability in all such cases.