CID to Probe Forest Wood Accumulation in Pandoh Dam Following Cloudburst.
Shimla:
In a significant move, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the large-scale accumulation of forest wood and logs in the Pandoh Dam of Mandi district, which occurred after recent cloudbursts and flash floods in the region.
The decision comes in the wake of viral videos and photographs showing vast quantities of wood debris floating in the dam. These visuals, widely circulated on social media platforms, have sparked public concern and raised serious questions about the source and legality of the timber swept down from surrounding forested hills.
A state government spokesperson stated that the administration has taken serious cognizance of the incident and is determined to uncover the reasons behind the presence of such a large quantity of wood. “The CID inquiry has been ordered to investigate whether the logs came as a natural consequence of the cloudburst or were a result of illegal logging practices being concealed under the guise of natural calamity,” the spokesperson added.
According to initial reports, the wood was flushed into the dam by swollen rivers during the cloudburst, causing further complications in dam operations and heightening environmental concerns.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the government’s immediate priority during the disaster was the protection of human life and restoration of normalcy in flood-hit regions. Emergency response teams have been working relentlessly to provide relief and aid to affected populations.
Reacting to political criticism, the government spokesperson slammed the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what was termed as irresponsible and opportunistic commentary. “At a time when the administration was focused on saving lives, BJP leaders chose to politicize the issue of floating timber, despite their own inaction during previous terms when illegal logging went unchecked,” the spokesperson said, accusing the former BJP governments of shielding the so-called “Van Mafia.”
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development and ecological protection. The spokesperson reiterated that the Sukhu-led administration is steadfast in its goal of making Himachal Pradesh a ‘Green Energy State’ by March 31, 2026, and that any activity undermining this mission would face strict legal action.
The CID’s findings are expected to shed light on whether the incident was purely a natural outcome or involved human negligence or illegal activities.
