What is the game of ‘looting’ forest land in Uttarakhand? CJI took suo motu cognizance, said – Forest is being encroached upon, but state government and officials remain silent spectators

New Delhi. Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant has said that the issue of private encroachment on 2866 acres of notified forest land in Uttarakhand is very serious. Terming it a threat to the environment, the court said that it is a systematic usurpation, which can destroy the delicate Himalayan ecology of the state. Chief Justice Surya Kant reprimanded the state government by calling it a ‘silent spectator’ and ordered to form a suo motu inquiry committee.

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The case of looting in the forest dates back to 1950, when Pashulok Seva Samiti of Rishikesh was given land on lease for the landless. In 1984 the committee returned 594 acres, but the rest remained in private possession. The court said that thousands of acres of forest land is being grabbed before our eyes, yet the officials are silent. Now the Chief Secretary and Principal Conservator of Forests will submit the investigation report. The Forest Department will take possession of the vacant land, no new construction or third party rights will be made.

Important comment of Supreme Court: Supreme Court ordered to maintain status quo on the disputed land. No sale, transfer or third party rights may be created. Forest Department and Collector will take possession of the vacant land except residential houses. There will be no new construction.

The Supreme Court, while considering the petition filed by Anita Kandwal, has expanded the scope of this case to pursue it as a suo motu case. The CJI said that what we find shocking is that the forest land continued to be encroached upon, but the state of Uttarakhand and its officials remained silent spectators.

How dangerous is the matter?

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Forest cover is already decreasing in Uttarakhand. Such encroachment is causing forests to shrink, which leads to climate change and natural disasters. The strictness of the court is expected to take massive action. CJI has fixed the next hearing for January 5, 2026. This matter is also related to the delicate Himalayan ecology of Uttarakhand. Forest encroachment is causing massive damage to landslides, floods and biodiversity.