The Supreme Court has stayed a decision of the Himachal Pradesh High Court permitting a family to cut hundreds of deodar and kail trees on their private forest land. A bench comprising Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice H K Sema granted the stay in response to the Himachal government's appeal against the high court order.
The landlords -- Ashok Sood, his wife and daughter -- had claimed that since each held a discrete share of the land, the total area owned by each person was below the limit required to attract application of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The state government countered in its petition that the land "is part of single holding and classified as forest in the revenue record."
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.