New Delhi/Shimla, Dec. 17 -- In a major relief to apple growers across Himachal Pradesh, the Supreme Court today set aside a Himachal Pradesh High Court order that had directed the removal of fruit-bearing apple orchards from encroached forest land, observing that indiscriminate felling of such trees could have far-reaching social, economic, and environmental consequences.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, held that the High Court erred in issuing blanket directions that would have led to large-scale cutting of fruit-laden apple trees without adequately considering their impact on livelihoods, ecological stability, and the fragile Himalayan terrain.
The apex court noted that horticulture, p...