Forest Conservation Act

The Supreme Court examined a public‑interest writ petition challenging several gifts of village common (shamlat) land by the Bhondsi Gram Panchayat to a former Prime Minister and his trust. The petitioner alleged that the gifts violated the Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulations) Act, 1961, its 1964 Rules, and the Fo…

The State of Himachal Pradesh sought permission to carry out silvicultural felling of Chil Pine, Khair and broad‑leaved forests up to 1,500 metres above sea level, arguing that limited felling is necessary for regeneration. The Supreme Court had earlier, by its 12‑December‑1996 and 14‑February‑2000 orders, imposed a bl…

The Supreme Court revisited its earlier orders that imposed an absolute ban on iron‑ore mining in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts of Karnataka, later allowing limited mining under a capped Maximum Permissible Annual Production (MPAP). Lessees of Category A and B mines sought modification of the cap, arguing t…

Veeru Devgan, a film producer, obtained permission to shoot a film in a reserve forest in Ooty and entered into an agreement with the District Forest Officer. The State later cancelled the licence alleging damage to grasslands, but the High Court set aside the cancellation, finding no breach or environmental harm. None…

The Supreme Court considered an interlocutory application filed by Sterlite Industries (Siil) seeking clarification on the rehabilitation package and the proposed transfer of the Niyamgiri bauxite mining lease to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) as suggested by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The Court held that …