Himachal's Plea for Disaster Relief: A Call for Forest Norm Relaxation

In a recent meeting, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu appealed to Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, requesting special relief measures for the disaster-stricken state, including a relaxation of forest norms to help provide rehabilitation land for affected families.

The Chief Minister conveyed to the Union Minister the severe damages caused by recent natural disasters like cloudbursts, landslides, and floods, which have devastated infrastructure, properties, and claimed lives. Sukhu emphasized the pressing need for allocating land for the homeless and landless families.

With Himachal Pradesh having 68% of its area under forest cover, Sukhu stressed on making legislative concessions to facilitate speedy rehabilitation. Discussions also covered preventive measures like river dredging and the requirement for state-specific policies considering the unique geographical challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)