HC Seeks Detailed Report on Illegal Tree Felling, Forest Smuggling in Una
SHIMLA, JUNE 27: Taking serious note of allegations of large-scale illegal tree felling and smuggling of forest produce in Una district, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Una, to file a detailed affidavit and ordered independent monitoring of activities at the Gagret forest check-post.
The directions were issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated on the basis of a communication received by the court on March 8, 2026.
The complaint was accompanied by GPS-tagged photographs showing trucks allegedly carrying cut trees from forests in Gagret tehsil.
The petitioner alleged that despite approaching the concerned authorities, no action was taken. It was further claimed that individuals who recorded the videos were threatened with the registration of an FIR.
To ensure independent verification, the court directed the Secretary of the District State Legal Services Authority (DSLA), Una, to make periodic visits to the Gagret forest check-post and submit status reports regarding the movement of forest produce.
During the hearing, the court was informed that an FIR had been registered under the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the user of a mobile number and administrators of a social media page for allegedly creating public mischief through the circulation of the photographs and videos.
Official records placed before the court revealed that the Gagret forest check-post on National Highway-03, located along the Himachal Pradesh-Punjab border, is a major transit point for forest produce.
Authorities stated that the GPS-tagged photographs showed vehicles crossing the check-post between 5:18 a.m. and 6:40 a.m. on February 28 and March 2, 2026, allegedly transporting legally permitted forest produce to the timber market at Hoshiarpur.
However, the disclosures before the court also indicated a significant problem of illegal transportation.
While 69 vehicles were reportedly checked and allowed to proceed after verification of transit permits, authorities admitted that 149 vehicles were involved in the illegal movement of forest produce.
Of these, 102 vehicles were linked to unauthorised transportation in Amb Range, while 15 vehicles were intercepted by the Dehra Forest Division.
The High Court observed that the FIR registered in the matter did not contain any details regarding the quantity of forest produce allegedly being transported out of Himachal Pradesh, the volume of vehicle movement, or the species of trees involved.
The Bench remarked that there was nothing on record to clarify these crucial aspects.
Viewing the matter as one involving significant environmental concerns and possible gaps in enforcement, the court sought a comprehensive response from the Forest Department and ordered continued monitoring through the Legal Services Authority.
The matter is scheduled to come up for further hearing on July 13, 2026.
