Shimla | July 19, 2025:
In the apple belt of Chaithla in Kotkhai, where 4,200 fruit-laden green apple trees were fell in the name of forest eviction, the aftermath lies rotting on the slopes—an ecological disaster in the making, fear farmers.
The abandoned fruit is now attracting pests and diseases, raising serious fears among neighbouring orchardists that the rot could spread into their private orchards just ahead of peak harvest season.
But more than just fruit is rotting—so is public trust.
The state government’s eviction drive, backed by High Court orders, has taken a sharp political turn, exposing a mess of contradictions and confusion in the corridors of power.
On one hand, Advocate General Anup Rattan told the High Court that the government has no policy and no intention to bring any policy to regularise encroachments.
Yet, barely a day later, Horticulture and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi contradicted the state’s legal stand, claiming that the High Court ignored their plea for policy-based regularisation and that the government was now planning to approach the Supreme Court—a position reiterated by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
So, who's telling the truth?
The BJP was quick to seize the moment, calling out the "double talk" of the Congress government.
“What the AG is saying in court and what Sukhu and Negi are saying to the media are two different stories,” BJP leaders charged, accusing the government of misleading both the public and the judiciary.
Farmers, Unions and NGOs Cry Foul
The Himachal Seb Utpadak Sangh, Progressive Apple Farmers Union, and Himachal Kisan Sabha have come out strongly against the eviction.
"It is an "attack on the livelihoods and homes of small and marginal farmers and entire apple community, said Rakesh Singha, ex Theog MLA and CPM Leader, who is spearheading the protest.
A massive protest is now planned to gherao the Secretariat in Shimla on July 29, with many accusing the Congress government of abandoning the poor during peak monsoon.
Puja Devi and Jagdish from Sarahan in Kumarsain are among dozens who have been rendered shelterless after their orchards and home were sealed without warning.
"We’ve lived and farmed here for generations.
They didn’t even let us harvest. Now the trees are gone, the fruit is rotting, and we have no roof over our heads," she said, sobbing.
Rohit Thakur Missing in meeting, Other MLAs Silent
Adding to the confusion, local MLA and Education Minister Rohit Thakur—who represents the same Jubbal-Kotkhai region worst affected by the felling—was absent from the Chief Minister’s recent strategy meet in Shimla.
His silence has triggered speculation of internal dissent within the party, particularly given the public anger over the destruction of apple orchards in forest land ahead of harvesting season
The apple orchards also act is natural carbon sinks coexisting with forests for over 60 years, say experts.
Rohit Thakur has expressed his displeasure over the way the eviction drive was being carried saying that he didn't support cutting of green apple trees ahead of harvesting as timing is not right.
Meanwhile, senior Congress MLAs and apple growers like Vikramaditya Singh and Harish Janartha are conveniently out of the country on a tour to Korea. Theog MLA Kuldeep Rathour, Rohru’s Mohan Brakta, Kasumpti’s Anirudh Singh, and even Chopal BJP MLA Balbir Verma have remained tight-lipped.
Seb Utpadak Sangh Slams Govt’s “Targeted” Action
Seb Utpadak Sangh leader Sanjay Chauhan has openly slammed the government for its failure to auction the felled fruit, letting it decay and trigger pest outbreaks. “This is deliberate targeting,” he said, accusing the government of poor timing and lack of planning.
Eviction or Ecological Suicide?
Environmentalists warn that such large-scale green felling without a rehabilitation and reafforestation plan is reckless.
The abandoned fruit, left to rot on forest floors, may trigger fungal outbreaks, attract wild animals, and disturb the fragile mountain ecology, fear farmers.
NGOs like HIFORM, a non-registered group of conservationists, while supporting the idea of curbing large-scale encroachments, bat for supporting small farmers and eviction of land mafias.
The 1980 Forest Act Conundrum
Negi, in an attempt to cover ground, claimed that the state cannot act independently until the Centre amends the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980.
“We passed a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha and have written to the Centre. Until the FCA is amended, we cannot implement any policy, even if we want to," he said.
But critics call this excuse stale and politically timed. “You can’t evict first and talk about Centre's permission later. If the law ties your hands, why cut down green 4200 apple trees now?” questioned a senior apple grower in Kotkhai. Why they didn't cut when the trees were in hibernation in winter months, he questioned.
A Monsoon of Misery
As rains lash Himachal, small farmers fume at government as its official position remains not clear on rehabilitation of small farmers including those lost their lands and orchards and homes in Seraj.
The selective action, absence of clarity, and rotting fruit have made one thing clear: this is not forest protection—it’s policy confusion at its worst.
If this is how the state treats its hill farmers—by cutting their trees and leaving the fruit to rot and landless to fend for themselves —then no amount of high talk about sustainability and carbon credits will save its credibility.
#SaveAppleOrchards
#JusticeForSmallFarmers
#StopGreenFelling
#PolicyNotPolitics
#HimachalEvictionRow
