The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has directed the state authorities to remove all pending encroachments on forest land across Himachal Pradesh by December 31, 2026. The order came while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation concerning large-scale illegal occupation of forest areas in the state.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Bipin Chander Negi passed the directions after taking on record a status report filed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Himachal Pradesh.
According to the affidavit submitted before the court, as many as 13,335 cases of forest encroachments were identified across the state. Of these, authorities have managed to evict encroachers in 7,925 cases, while 5,410 cases are still pending for removal.
The Bench observed that no further judicial intervention was required at this stage but directed the concerned authorities to complete the remaining eviction proceedings within the stipulated timeframe. The court also underlined the continuing responsibility of the forest department and district administrations to safeguard forest land and ensure strict enforcement of forest conservation laws in the state.
