Shimla, March 13 -- Ahead of the dry summer season, when forest fire incidents usually rise in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has amended its earlier tree-felling restrictions to allow limited removal of dried Chir (pine) trees, a move aimed at reducing combustible forest material in vulnerable areas.
The Forest Department issued an order on February 25 under the Himachal Pradesh Land Preservation Act, 1978, modifying provisions of a 2002 notification that regulates tree felling and related activities across large parts of the state.
The restrictions apply outside areas falling under Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Cantonment Boards.
The amendment has been made to Paragraph 7 of the 2002 order. Th...