Videos Of Timber Logs Floating In Himachal Flood Waters Show Illegal Tree Felling Up Hills : Supreme Court Takes Serious View

The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 4), referring to videos of timber logs floating in floodwaters in Himachal Pradesh, observed that rampant illegal tree felling appeared to be taking place in the Himalayan region.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran stressed that it was a serious matter.

"We have seen unprecedented landslides and floods in Uttarakhad, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. From the media reports, it is also noticed that in the flood, huge number of wooden logs were flowing around. Prima facie, it appears that there has been illegal felling of the trees which has been going on up hills," the bench observed while considering a Public Interest Litigation raising the issue of environmental degradation in the Himalayan region.

The bench issued notice to the Union of India (through Ministries of Environment and Jal Shakti), National Disaster Management Authority, NHAI, the States of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir.

After the order was dictated, CJI Gavai orally told Solicitor General that it was a serious issue. "It is a serious issue. In media we have seen that large number of wooden logs are flowing around in Himachal, Uttarakhand. Illegal tree felling is going on.." CJI said.

SG Tushar Mehta said that he will speak to the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment today itself to get in touch with the respective Chief Secretaries.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted that there were fourteen tunnels between Chandigarh and Manali, which become near "death traps" during landslides in rain. He cited a report regarding 300 people getting stranded in tunnel.

ANAMIKA RANA Vs UNION OF INDIA |  W.P.(C) No. 845/2025