Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 13 (HBTV): Acting on the directives of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, the Forest Department on Saturday launched a forest land reclamation drive in Chaithla village of Kotkhai, where apple trees planted on encroached land were felled, according to an official statement.

The operation was carried out under tight security. Present during the eviction were the SDM of Kotkhai, the Divisional Forest Officer of Thiyog, the Deputy Superintendent of Police of Thiyog, and the local Tehsildar. Police personnel were deployed to ensure law and order during the execution of the orders.

Officials stated that the apple trees had been illegally planted on protected forest land in violation of a recent High Court order. In a judgment dated July 2, 2025, a Division Bench comprising Justices Vivek Singh Thakur and Bipin C. Negi had directed the state government to remove all encroachments from forest land, particularly unauthorised apple orchards, and to initiate reforestation during the monsoon season.

The court also ordered that the cost of the removal operation and restoration of the forest be recovered from the encroachers as arrears of land revenue. The bench stressed the importance of replanting native forest species on the reclaimed land.

Due to the sensitive nature of the eviction, the District Magistrate of Shimla, who also heads the Special Investigation Team constituted to enforce the court’s orders, imposed a temporary ban on carrying firearms and weapons in Chaithla village until July 18. The order exempts only authorised security forces, including police and paramilitary personnel.

‘Only security forces, including police and paramilitary personnel, and other authorised personnel are exempted from this restriction,’ the District Magistrate’s notification stated.

The High Court’s ruling followed a long legal battle and multiple Public Interest Litigations related to widespread encroachment of forest lands in Himachal Pradesh’s apple-producing regions.

Further eviction drives are expected in other encroached areas as the state works toward full compliance with the court’s instructions.

(ANI)