Shimla, July 19 -- The revenue, horticulture and tribal development minister Jagat Singh Negi on Friday said that the state government will approach the Supreme Court against the Himachal high court's directive that has lead to mass felling of fruit-bearing and green trees on encroached forest lands.

As part of the ongoing HC monitored exercise to clear forest land of all encroachments about 3,700 apple plants have been cut so far.

Negi who was speaking to media in Shimla on Friday said that nowhere in the country is green felling allowed and albeit the state government is removing encroachments from forest land, they will challenge green felling.

Negi said the state is complying with the HC's orders on removing illegal encroachments, ...