TRACY ALISON SKOLES Vs. CHAIRPERSON OF GOVERNING BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Assailing the resolution of the Board for exchange of the land, which are under the occupation of the petitioner, the present writ petition has been filed before this Court.

(2.) It is the case of the petitioner that the petitioner along with more than 10 other residents are permissive residents of the property belonging to Auroville Foundation in respect of an extent of land measuring 18.37 acres comprised in R.S. No.165/1, No.1, Pillar Koil Street, Ganapathychettikulam, Calapet, Puducherry. The said land is situated in the Union Territory of Puducherry outside the Auroville Master Plan area and the said land was given to "Mother" prior to the enactment of the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988 and the residents have been residing in the said lands as Stewards (caretakers) for more than four decades since 1986 and that they have invested their life savings and due to their sustained efforts, the barren coastal lands has flourished into a natural habitat of several species of flora and fauna.

(3.) It is the further averment of the petitioner that the residents have constructed dwelling houses along with all necessary amenities for peaceful living with necessary infrastructure and have implemented extensive afforestation measures through their personal investment, with the permission and consent of the Auroville Foundation.