Zudpi Jungle - The Legal Chamber

The Supreme Court modified its earlier order concerning forest land regularization. It declined to exempt small fragmented land parcels from being declared as protected forest but clarified the state could utilize them for purposes under Section 3(2) of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, following due procedure. The Court also allowed a one-time exemption for pre-December 1996 encroachments on specified categories of land, as recommended by the Central Empowered Committee. Facts Of The Case: The case originates from the landmark Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. Union of India case (W.P.(C) No.202 of 1995), which deals extensively with forest conservation across India. Within this ongoing litigation, an Interim Application (I.A. No.12465/2019) was filed concerning the classification and treatme...

The Supreme Court affirmed 'Zudpi Jungle' as forest, but allowed pre-1996 non-forestry regularization without NPV or compensatory afforestation. It mandated strict action for post-1996 diversions, declared fragmented Zudpi lands 'Protected Forests,' and ordered transfers to the Forest Department, with conditions for using Zudpi land for compensatory afforestation. Facts Of The Case: This case revolves around the legal status and utilization of "Zudpi Jungle" lands in six districts of Eastern Vidarbha, Maharashtra. Historically, these lands, characterized by bushy growth and inferior soil, were recorded as "Zudpi Forest" or "Scrub Jungle" in revenue records since the early 1900s, often used for grazing and domestic needs. Due to bureaucratic inaction and state reorganization in 1956, thes...

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Supreme Court Modifies Order: Pre-1996 Encroachments on Forest Land Spared from Eviction