Himachal CM admits 207 trees cut illegally

A preliminary probe has confirmed the illegal felling of 207 trees in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh told the state assembly Monday.

The HP State Forest Corporation, which gave the contract for cutting down 978 dry and fallen trees to some contractors, has reported that over 200 trees were cut illegally. Two FIRs (first information reports) have been registered, the chief minister said.

In a report submitted to the assembly over the opposition BJP demand seeking a probe into illegal cutting of trees by the forest mafia, he said it came to light in the preliminary probe that the trees were cut in Chamba.

"There is zero tolerance by the government towards forest felling," he said.

The chief minister said he will fight the forest mafia and asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to wait for the outcome of the probe.

Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal demanded action in such cases across the state.

BJP member Ravinder Ravi, who raised the issue Dec 5, alleged illegal felling of trees has increased alarmingly in Chamba, the home constituency of Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri.

He alleged that the illicit cutting of trees on such a large scale was not possible without political patronage.

The BJP demanded sacking of the forest minister and an inquiry into the matter by the Central Bureau of Investigation.