The Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday prohibited the felling of mango and five other tree species with immediate effect as part of a campaign to combat timber and fuel wood smuggling in the state.
Mango, Triyambal (Ficus species), Toon (Toona ciliata), Padam or Pajja (Prunus cerasus), Ritha (Sapindus mukorossi), and Baan (Quercus leucotrichophora) have all been declared illegal to cut down, according to a statement released here.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the chief minister, announced a complete prohibition on the export of timber and fuel wood from these six species outside of the state.
According to him, the action is intended to stop unlawful trafficking and protect the region's priceless resources.
Sukhu noted that all six of these species are now covered under the ten-year felling program, which stipulates that trees must survive for at least ten years before being cut down.
According to Sukhu, any tree that belongs to one of these species can only be felled with the forest department's approval.
A maximum of five trees may be cut down per year for domestic purposes, according to the statement.
Only thirteen tree species may now be cut down with prior notification to the range officer, according to an updated list that has been made public. Other species must additionally get forest clearances before being felled, the statement stated.
According to the chief minister, this action would not only protect native species but also be crucial for the preservation of biodiversity.
