Supreme Court Questions Uttarakhand Government Over Forest Land Encroachment

The Supreme Court has expressed serious concerns about the Uttarakhand government's lack of action regarding the alleged encroachment of forest land by private entities. In a suo motu case, the court has ordered the establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate the situation and report back. Immediate cessation of construction on forest land has also been mandated. This case involves significant areas of government forest land previously leased to an organization, raising questions about the systematic grabbing of land. The court's next hearing is set for January 5, as it continues to address environmental concerns in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 22, 2025, 17:26 IST

Supreme Court's Inquiry into Forest Land Issues

On Monday, the Supreme Court raised concerns regarding the Uttarakhand government's inaction in the face of significant allegations of forest land encroachment. The court criticized the authorities for remaining passive while private entities reportedly seized large areas of forest land.

In a suo motu proceeding, Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi instructed the chief secretary of Uttarakhand and the principal conservation secretary to establish a fact-finding committee. This committee is tasked with investigating the situation and providing a detailed report, which will help the court evaluate the extent of the alleged encroachment and the response from state officials.

The court mandated an immediate halt to all construction activities on forest land, stating that any vacant land, excluding residential properties, should be reclaimed by the Forest Department and the relevant collector.

This case involves 2,866 acres of government forest land, some of which was leased to an organization called Pashu Lok Seva Samiti. The organization informed the court that it had distributed portions of this land to its members. Following the organization's liquidation, it returned 594 acres to the Forest Department on October 23, 1984.

However, some individuals claimed to have taken control of the land in 2001. The bench noted, “The facts of this case prima facie show how thousands of acres of forest land have been systematically grabbed by private individuals.”

The next hearing is scheduled for January 5. In a related matter, the Supreme Court previously highlighted the rampant illegal tree felling in the Himalayan region, emphasizing that while development is essential, it should not compromise environmental integrity and public safety.