The high court has imposed a ban on felling of trees in all forest areas, including private forestlands, except in accordance with the order passed by the Apex Court. The court further directed that felling in all forests would remain suspended, except in accordance with the working plans of the state government approved by the Central Government. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Jagdish Bhalla and Justice Deepak Gupta passed this order on an appeal filed by the state government, the state forest corporation and private timber contractors whereby they have challenged the order passed by the single judge of the high court. The judge had imposed a complete ban on felling of trees in the entire state. Rejecting the plea of the state with regard to felling of trees on the private land under the Land Preservation Act, the Bench observed that any area covered with trees and undergrowth would be deemed to be a forestland, therefore, felling of trees would not be allowed even on the private land. However, the court said the state was entitled to remove fallen or diseased trees, except from the areas notified under Sections 18 and 35 of the Forest Preservation Act.