Notice to Himachal Chief Secretary over tree cutting for ‘illegal roads’ at Nachan

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, August 1

The High Court today issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Principal Chief Conservator Forest and the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Nachan, over illegal construction of roads by cutting trees in dense forest areas at Nachan, Mandi. The court directed them to file their replies within three weeks.

DFO ‘intimidated’ subordinates

Roads have been constructed illegally at Nachan without clearance under the Forest Conservation Act. The DFO allowed the construction of roads by intimidating subordinate officials of the department. Several complaints have been made to the state government, but no action has been taken. —Petitioner

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice AA Sayed and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed these orders on a petition taken up suo motu as a PIL petition on a letter addressed to the Chief Justice by Raju, a resident of Chail Chowk, Mandi.

The petitioner alleged that at the behest of the DFO, Nachan, thousands of trees had been cut.

He alleged that roads had been constructed illegally without clearance under the Forest Conservation Act. It had been alleged that the DFO allowed the construction of roads by intimidating subordinate officials of the department. Several complaints had been sent to the government, but no action had been taken.

The petitioner alleged that to please politicians in the name of bridle path, the Badhaer road had been constructed with JCB machines without following the provisions of the Act. It stated that at the behest of the DFO, a ground had been constructed at the Chail Chowk at a distance of about 100 metres from the rest house by cutting about 500 trees.

The petitioner prayed for an inquiry and the registration of an FIR against the DFO. He also prayed for immediate action against the DFO to save forest and the environment. After hearing the matter, the court listed it after three weeks.

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