Several farmers’ organisations, including the Himachal Kisan Sabha, and various apple growers’ associations have welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision setting aside the order of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, directing the removal of fruit-bearing orchards from encroached forest land, terming it a major relief for small and marginal farmers who survive on apple cultivation.
The apex court also asked the state government to formulate a proposal for the Centre to help the marginalised section and landless people. The order was passed during hearings related to eviction drives and the proposed felling of orchards, which had triggered widespread concern among small orchardists across the state.
The organisations said the verdict vindicated their long-standing demand for the regularisation of up to five bighas held by small and marginal farmers. They have consistently maintained that such land holdings are essential for the survival of orchardists, as many of them rely entirely on apple production as their primary source of income.
Kisan Sabha president Dr Kuldeep Singh Tanwar said, “The Supreme Court’s ruling establishes that the issue is not merely a legal dispute, but a socio-economic one. The destruction of fruit-bearing apple trees effectively amounts to taking away farmers’ only means of livelihood.”
Farmer bodies said the court’s observations reaffirmed the constitutional principle of India being a welfare state, where laws are meant to protect livelihoods rather than destroy them.
Apple growers pointed out that apple trees are not merely agricultural assets but symbols of years of labour, economic security and hope for farming families.
The ruling, they said, sends a clear message that farmers should not be treated as offenders for livelihood-based land use and that sustained struggle for justice yields results.
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