Supreme Court Raises Alarm Over Illegal Tree Felling in Himalayan Region
The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the rampant illegal felling of trees in the Himalayan region, observing that timber logs are frequently seen floating in recent floodwaters. Taking up a public interest litigation, the court noted that while development is necessary, it cannot come at the cost of the environment and human lives. The bench has issued notices to the central government, the National Disaster Management Authority, and the governments of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Unpacked:
Illegal tree felling persists due to weak enforcement of forest laws, high demand for timber, insufficient protected areas (only about 13% of Himalayan forests are protected), and rapid, unplanned urbanization which increases pressure on remaining forests.
Deforestation in the Himalayas has led to loss of biodiversity, reduced groundwater recharge, depletion of natural springs, increased flood risk, and diminished wetlands. Urban expansion in particular has caused significant forest loss and environmental degradation in recent decades.
Recent studies show a significant decline in forest cover over the past three decades, though the overall deforestation rate has slightly decreased in the last few years compared to 2019–2022. For example, Himachal Pradesh lost 5.78 thousand hectares of tree cover from 2001 to 2024.
Development, especially urban and cropland expansion, is a major driver of deforestation in the Himalayas. Balancing it with environmental protection is challenging; courts and policymakers stress the need for sustainable development that safeguards forests and human lives, but effective land use planning and stricter enforcement are often lacking.