The Supreme Court strongly criticized the Uttarakhand government on Monday regarding a case of encroachment on forest land, stating that the state government and its officials remained passive spectators. The court took suo motu cognizance and registered the case. A vacation bench comprising the Chief Justice of India and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand to constitute an inquiry committee and submit a report.
The bench stated that the most shocking aspect for them is that the Uttarakhand government and its officials are watching the encroachment on forest land happening right before their eyes like mute spectators. Therefore, the court is taking suo motu cognizance of this matter. The court directed the Chief Secretary and the Principal Chief Conservator of Uttarakhand to constitute a fact-finding committee and present a report. Private parties are restrained from creating any third-party interests, and no construction work shall be carried out.
The Supreme Court stated that the Forest Department will take possession of vacant lands, excluding residential houses. The court scheduled the next hearing in this matter after the holidays. The Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed regarding the illegal occupation of a large tract of forest land in Uttarakhand.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court in the nation, established in 1789 by Article III of the U.S. Constitution. It serves as the final arbiter of federal law and the Constitution, with landmark decisions shaping American civil rights, governance, and society throughout its history.
Uttarakhand government
The Uttarakhand government is the administrative authority of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, which was carved out from the state of Uttar Pradesh and officially formed on November 9, 2000, following a long-standing regional movement for a separate hill state. It operates from its capital at Dehradun (with a summer capital in Gairsain) and is responsible for governing a region renowned for its Hindu pilgrimage sites and Himalayan ecology.
Forest Department
The “Forest Department” is not a specific cultural site, but a government agency responsible for managing and protecting a country’s forest resources. Historically, such departments were established during colonial periods, notably by the British in places like India in the 19th century, to scientifically manage timber extraction. Today, their role has expanded globally to focus on conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable forest management.
Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand
The Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand is not a place or cultural site, but the senior-most civil servant and administrative head of the state government of Uttarakhand, India. The position was established when the state was formed on 9 November 2000, separating from Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Secretary oversees the implementation of government policies and coordinates the state’s bureaucracy from the capital in Dehradun.
Principal Chief Conservator of Uttarakhand
The “Principal Chief Conservator of Uttarakhand” is not a place or cultural site, but a senior administrative position within the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This officer is the head of the state’s forest department, responsible for managing and conserving its forests and wildlife. The role was established following the creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state in 2000, continuing a long tradition of forest management in the Himalayan region.
