The Supreme Court has raised concerns over illegal tree-felling in northern India, after massive floods and landslides wreaked havoc in several states. Videos showing timber logs floating in floodwaters in Himachal Pradesh caught the court’s attention, prompting warnings about environmental degradation.

Several northern states are grappling with devastating floods. Punjab is experiencing its worst deluge in nearly 40 years, while Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir have also reported severe landslides and water damage.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai described the situation as “unprecedented” and expressed concern over the role of deforestation in worsening the floods.

“We have seen unprecedented landslides and floods in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. From the media reports, it is noticed that in the flood a huge number of wood were flowing along. Prima facie, it appears that there has been illegal felling of trees going on up hills,” said CJI Gavai.

The remark was made during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) focusing on environmental degradation in the hilly regions.

A bench comprising CJI Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran stressed the seriousness of the matter. The Supreme Court has sought a reply within two weeks from the Centre and the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab regarding illegal tree-felling and its link to recent disasters.