CHURHDHAR: The once pristine route from Mandalah to Churhdhar, known for its sacred significance connected with Lord Shiv and Shirgul Maharaj and its biodiversity, is turning into an environmental disaster zone under the nose of Himachal Pradesh Forest department.
Visitors have been treating the hollowed bases of majestic deodar and fir trees like trash cans, dumping waste, and even burning garbage inside them.
Over 200 trees have been axed over the years along the popular trekking path from Mandlah to Churhdhar, with the forest department of Himachal needing to answer for this devastation.
The Pahari Samaj Paryavani Kawach Foundation (PSPK) has raised an urgent alarm after observing these shocking activities.
"I've personally seen people set fire to the hollow parts of these beautiful trees and use them as dustbins. It's heartbreaking to witness this kind of destruction," said Raveena Chauhan, Director of PSPK, an NGO engaged in creating awareness about environment in Himachal Pradesh.
Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Atul Kaushik, CEO of PSPK, who recently led a massive cleanliness drive from Nauradhar to Churhdhar, shared a grim account of the area.
"During our drive, we collected 400 kg of waste along the 12.5 km sacred trek. :But what shocked us the most was the number of deodars and firs whose bases had been turned into literal waste pits".
Around 50 trees have been burned at their hollow bases, and over 200 trees have been chopped down within 50 meters of the trek route over a period of time."
It’s clear that this isn't just a recent problem.
According to PSPK, the axing of trees goes back several years, but the burning and dumping inside the hollow trees have become more rampant in the past one to two years.
Kaushik observed, "This is not just an ecological disaster but a cultural loss. These forests are part of our heritage, and their destruction impacts the entire ecosystem of the Churhdhar wildlife sanctuary."
Raveena Chauhan added, "This isn't just about trees—it's about the identity of the region. If we don't act now, we risk losing this precious natural treasure forever."
The forest department has a lot to explain, but in the meantime, PSPK is urging all stakeholders, from trekkers to locals, to stop treating Churdhar like a dumping ground.
There needs to be immediate action before the situation gets worse. The damage already done to the majestic deodars and firs can't be undone, but if we don't act, it’ll only turn worse.
For now, the message from PSPK is clear: it’s time to wake up before we lose one of our most sacred and ecologically vital places to human neglect.
