Himachal High Court takes suo motu cognisance of alleged illegal tree felling in Shillai
Shimla, March 18,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged large-scale illegal felling of trees in the Shillai area of Sirmaur district, putting the State government under judicial scrutiny over possible violations in a sensitive forest region.
The matter has been registered as a Public Interest Litigation, CWPIL No. 19 of 2026, after the court received a communication from students of Shillai highlighting the cutting of trees in and around their area. The communication was accompanied by photographs which, according to the court record, indicated extensive felling and prompted immediate judicial attention.
Taking note of the issue, a division bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chandra Negi issued notice to the State government and other respondents, seeking a response on the circumstances in which the trees were cut. The bench has asked the authorities to clarify whether the felling was backed by due permission and what reasons, if any, justified such action.
The case was taken up on March 16, when Additional Advocate General Varun Chandel appeared on behalf of the State and accepted notice. He sought time to file a reply before the court.
The High Court has now listed the matter for further hearing on May 5, 2026.
The alleged felling had already sparked concern in the region after reports and visuals surfaced claiming that pine trees were being cut in broad daylight in the Shillai belt. The matter also led to registration of an FIR. While reports suggest that a substantial number of trees may have been felled, the exact number is yet to be officially verified by the authorities.
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The court’s intervention has added legal weight to the issue and is likely to sharpen focus on forest governance, regulatory compliance and environmental safeguards in the area. The proceedings may also determine whether administrative lapses or illegal activity were involved in the reported felling.
For residents and environmental observers, the case assumes significance not only because of the alleged scale of damage but also because it originated from concerns raised by local students, whose communication pushed the issue into judicial review.
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