Tue Oct 28 09:39:38 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
Following concerns raised by the Supreme Court regarding logs floating in rivers after recent floods and landslides in the Himalayan region, the Himachal Pradesh government has assured the court that the debris is largely driftwood caused by climate change and natural disasters, not large-scale illegal logging. While acknowledging the possibility of isolated instances of illegal felling, the government emphasized that investigations found no widespread evidence of such activity. They attributed the situation to intense rainfall, geologically fragile ecosystems, and developmental activities exacerbated by climate change. The government is taking steps to manage and auction the driftwood, with revenue going to the state. They highlighted the dire consequences of climate change on the region.
News Article:
Himalayan Timber Tide: Climate Change, Not Illegal Logging, Blamed for River Debris, Himachal Pradesh Tells Supreme Court
New Delhi, October 28, 2025 – In the wake of devastating floods and landslides that have ravaged the Himalayan region, the Himachal Pradesh government has told the Supreme Court that climate change, not widespread illegal logging, is the primary cause of large amounts of timber washing down rivers.
The Supreme Court had expressed serious concerns after videos emerged showing logs floating in swollen rivers across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab. Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, alarmed by the images, stated the importance of protecting the environment in the pursuit of development.
Responding to the court’s concerns, the Himachal Pradesh government reported that investigations conducted by state-formed committees found “no explicit evidence” of large-scale or organised illicit felling. The State government asserted that the logs were “naturally fallen or decayed trees and salvage debris”.
“Most logs have signs of natural breakage and irregular shapes caused by rocks and river currents. Many were found with roots and stumps. The position is fortified by the testimony of local communities, panchayat representatives, photo and video evidence,” the State submitted.
While conceding the possibility of isolated cases of illegal tree-felling, the government stressed that its forest department remains vigilant and takes immediate action against any violations.
The State government attributed the presence of driftwood to a confluence of factors linked to climate change, including dramatic shifts in monsoon patterns, geologically unstable terrain, and the accelerated pace of development.
According to the State, climate change has caused the state to experience high temperatures, altered snowfall patterns, and a higher frequency of landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods. 320 people in the State lost their lives in the 2025 monsoon season.
The government is currently taking steps to collect, quantify, and auction the driftwood, with the proceeds deposited into the state treasury. They are also investigating reports of “lost” timber potentially buried under landslide debris.
The Himachal Pradesh government’s report paints a concerning picture of the impact of climate change on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, with rising temperatures, altered snowfall patterns, and increased frequency of natural disasters posing a significant threat to the region’s ecology, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
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