SUO MOTU PIL IN THE MATTER OF ILLEGAL FELLING OF TREES AREAS OF KALADHUNJG TO BAJPUR U.S. NAGAR Vs. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST, KUMAON, NAINITAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) One of us, on the basis of the personal cognizance being taken, on account of illegal collection and felling of trees in the notified jungle areas, had taken a suo motu cognizance on an issue of a grave concern for the public at large.

(2.) Upon the cognizance being taken, the matter was registered as a PIL, and ultimately, it was nominated by orders of Acting Chief Justice before this Court to be decided on merits.

(3.) The prime concern was, that invariably it was seen by this Court, that people even belonging to the urbanized aboriginal areas, adjoining the forest areas, have been found rampantly plundering the forest produce for their personal gains without there being any checks and controls being exercised by the officials of the Forest Department, who are duty bound and were supposed to otherwise discharge their duties in accordance with the provisions of Indian Forest Act of 1927, the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and the Rules framed thereunder.