The Himachal Pradesh High Court has reaffirmed its directive prohibiting the construction and tarring of forest roads until further orders. The direction was issued during hearings on public interest litigations concerning road development in ecologically sensitive areas of the state.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C Negi upheld its earlier order of August 17, 2026. The order prevents construction and tarring work on forest roads while the court examines whether projects have complied with forest conservation requirements.

During the proceedings, the amicus curiae submitted a chart identifying 55 roads in the Seraj Assembly constituency under the Nachan Forest Division. The chart indicated that the roads had been constructed in breach of provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, with most reportedly built without formal proposals from the relevant user agencies.

The proceedings also examined permissions issued under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The court was informed that some permissions had allegedly been granted in circumstances that did not align with the interests of forest dwellers or the objectives of forest conservation.

The amicus curiae raised concerns about 16 helipads located in the Seraj region and highlighted their potential effect on wildlife. An assessment of their environmental consequences was sought, while the hearing also drew attention to the cutting of green trees for road projects in vulnerable forest zones.

The court directed that no construction or tarring of forest roads should proceed until further orders. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on December 2, 2026, when the bench is expected to consider the compliance position and the environmental implications of the projects under examination.