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 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 state is complying with the HC's orders on removing illegal encroachments, but the destruction of full-grown apple orchards and green cover as part of the eviction process could lead to serious environmental consequences. "Eviction of illegal encroachments is being carried out, but cutting decades-old fruit-bearing trees is not justified," Negi said, adding that the state will file a petition in the apex court to prevent unnecessary destruction of trees. He urged the judiciary to differentiate between illegal possession and green asset preservation, and asked the Centre to frame a balanced policy that allows removal of encroachments without harming environment. All India Congress Committee spokesperson and Theog MLA Kuldeep Rathore said, "I will not comment on the court's orders, but cutting fruit trees in the month of Sawan is wrong, "This action could have been postponed for 3-4 months," he said. Former chief minister Shanta Kumar said that instead of cutting down the lush green gardens, the government should take them under its control. "These gardens should be brought under the control of the forest department and made a source of income," said former CM. Construction of Shongtong hydroelectric project to be completed by December 2026, said Singh Negi after chairing cabinet sub-committee to review matters related to the 450 MW hydroelectric project. He also directed the PWD officials to instruct all DC's and other revenue officers to conduct girdawari to ensure that government properties, especially PWD roads that have existed for more than 20 years and are duly recorded in the revenue records....