Environmental Devastation and Illegal Logging Threaten Chamba’s Forests Amid Recent Floods
Published on: August 30, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Chamba, India
The swollen waters of the Ravi River in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district have revealed a disturbing environmental crisis, as large numbers of wood logs and tree roots have been spotted floating downstream, raising alarms about intensified timber mafia operations. The phenomenon, observed amidst recent flash floods and landslides, points to illegal logging activities that are exacerbating ecological damage in the region’s pristine forests.
On August 26, 2025, flash floods triggered by the swelling Ravi River wreaked havoc in Chamba and Kangra districts, washing away schools, bridges, and homes. Amid the debris, an unusual volume of large logs and felled trees was seen clogging the river, particularly near Chamba town and downstream areas like Haloon village, where nine houses were swept away. Environmentalists and local activists have pointed to these logs as evidence of rampant illegal felling by the timber mafia, a persistent issue in Himachal Pradesh’s protected forest areas.
A recent crackdown by the Forest Department in Chamba’s Salooni division uncovered illegally felled timber hidden in villages like Bidhwad, Tikru, and Dhar, following an assault on a forest guard in the Singadhar forest beat. The operation, launched in October 2024, exposed the mafia’s audacity, with logs and planks stashed in private homes. Local communities and forest rights committees in nearby Kullu’s Banjar sub-division have also raised concerns, demanding regular monitoring and joint patrols with forest officials to curb illicit felling.
Experts warn that the presence of logs in the Ravi River, especially during floods, aggravates the destruction caused by natural disasters. “The quantum of logs suggests not just natural erosion but systematic tree felling upstream,” said a state-based environmental researcher, calling for a high-level inquiry into the source of the timber. The timber mafia’s operations, often linked to lax enforcement and alleged collusion with local officials, have long plagued Himachal’s forests, with Chamba, Kangra, and Kullu among the worst-affected districts.
The Ravi River, originating from the Bara Bhangal region and fed by tributaries like the Bhadal, Siul, and Tant Gari, is a lifeline for Chamba’s communities. However, its catchment area, spanning 5,451 sq. km in Himachal, is under severe strain from deforestation and unchecked development. The recent floods have compounded the crisis, with over 300 residents stranded in Bada Bhangal village and critical infrastructure destroyed. Sarpanch Mansa Ram Bhangalia has urged authorities for an aerial survey and immediate relief, highlighting the dual threat of natural calamities and human-induced environmental degradation.
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As Himachal Pradesh grapples with the aftermath of monsoon fury, which has claimed over 287 lives since June 20, the surge of logs in the Ravi River serves as a stark reminder of the timber mafia’s unchecked operations. Environmentalists are calling for stricter enforcement, community-led forest monitoring, and sustainable policies to protect the state’s biodiversity. The state government has been urged to investigate the nexus between the mafia and local entities, ensuring that those responsible for plundering Himachal’s forests are brought to justice.
The visuals of logs choking the Ravi River are not just a consequence of nature’s wrath but a warning of the urgent need to address illegal logging. As Chamba’s communities rebuild, the fight against the timber mafia remains critical to preserving Himachal’s ecological heritage.
