Private industrial groups are seizing thousands of acres of forest land in Uttarakhand. Yet the Uttarakhand government remains a mere spectator. A case has been filed at the Supreme Court of India on this allegation. On Monday, during the hearing of this case, the Supreme Court put the role of the Uttarakhand government on the dock. The apex court questioned why the BJP-ruled Uttarakhand government took no action even after receiving allegations that thousands of acres of the state's forest land were being encroached upon.
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The hearing took place before the bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The Chief Justice observed in this context, "What is shocking to us is that the State of Uttarakhand and authorities are sitting like mute spectators when forest land is being grabbed in front of their eyes. Thus we initiate a suo motu case"
The Bench also directed, "Private parties are stopped from creating any third party rights and no construction shall take place." The Court also ordered that all the vacant lands except residential land shall be taken in possession by the forest department.
Not stopping there, the Chief Justice's bench directed the Chief Secretary and Chief Conservator of Forests of the Uttarakhand government to immediately form a special investigation committee to investigate the entire incident and submit a report to the apex court. The apex court clearly stated that until this investigation is completed, no forest land in Uttarakhand can be transferred to any private entity.
