Forest department admits land offers in Chikhaldara against rules
Real Estate

Forest department admits land offers in Chikhaldara against rules

The state government and the forest department have admitted that changing the status of forest land from Class-II to Class-I in villages near Chikhaldara hill station sale deeds is illegal, violating the Forest Conservation Act 1980.

The Maharashtra government, forest department, and Melghat Tiger Reserve’s (MTR) administration come on an affidavit, filed before the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court. It was filed after CEC issued a notification on a petition filed by Akot wildlife activist Vijay Chauhan. He challenged the Amravati district collector of converting the occupancy of forest land from Class-II land to Class-I in five villages near Chikhaldara.

According to a report, the collector issued the order, changing Class-II land to Class-I in five villages, including Shahapur, Lawanda, Aladoh, Motha, and Merki, paving the way for the sale of forest lands near the hill station.

According to the forest department, these villages were declared as reserve forests. However, some areas of these villages were temporarily de-reserved in 1969-70 to facilitate the process of conversion of forest villages into revenue villages.

The forest land was unsurveyed and provisional notifications for de-reservation were issued between 1969 to 1970.

After conducting the final survey, the areas were handed over to the revenue department with the terms and conditions that the land belonged to occupancy Class II land and was restricted to transfer. The responsibility and duty lay on the landowners to work as labourers in forestry operation activities and protection.

Image Source

Also read: Centre proposes simpler clearance process for forest land use

The state government and the forest department have admitted that changing the status of forest land from Class-II to Class-I in villages near Chikhaldara hill station sale deeds is illegal, violating the Forest Conservation Act 1980. The Maharashtra government, forest department, and Melghat Tiger Reserve’s (MTR) administration come on an affidavit, filed before the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court. It was filed after CEC issued a notification on a petition filed by Akot wildlife activist Vijay Chauhan. He challenged the Amravati district collector of converting the occupancy of forest land from Class-II land to Class-I in five villages near Chikhaldara. According to a report, the collector issued the order, changing Class-II land to Class-I in five villages, including Shahapur, Lawanda, Aladoh, Motha, and Merki, paving the way for the sale of forest lands near the hill station. According to the forest department, these villages were declared as reserve forests. However, some areas of these villages were temporarily de-reserved in 1969-70 to facilitate the process of conversion of forest villages into revenue villages. The forest land was unsurveyed and provisional notifications for de-reservation were issued between 1969 to 1970. After conducting the final survey, the areas were handed over to the revenue department with the terms and conditions that the land belonged to occupancy Class II land and was restricted to transfer. The responsibility and duty lay on the landowners to work as labourers in forestry operation activities and protection. Image Source Also read: Centre proposes simpler clearance process for forest land use

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Thanjavur to Turn Garbage Dump into Eco-Park Under CITIIS 2.0

The Thanjavur City Corporation plans to convert its 28-acre garbage dump at the Chekkadi compost yard into an eco-park under the CITIIS 2.0 programme by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The project involves bio-capping around 2 lakh cubic metres of legacy waste at an estimated cost of $3.6 million. This will include leveling mounds, adding soil layers, and installing systems to prevent groundwater contamination. A Waste Processing Facility (WPF) worth $2.4–$3.6 million will also be established to handle non-biodegradable waste. Additionally, 12 existing and six proposed mic..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Ceigall India Secures $111 Million Contract for Ludhiana Bypass

Infrastructure company Ceigall India Ltd has secured a significant contract from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the development of a six-lane greenfield southern Ludhiana bypass. The company received the Letter of Award (LOA) on March 13, 2025, according to a stock exchange filing. The project, part of the Ludhiana-Ajmer Economic Corridor, involves developing a 25.24 km stretch from NH44 near Village Rajgarh to the Delhi-Katra Expressway (NE 5) near Village Ballowal. Awarded under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), the project's estimated cost is approximately $104 million, ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

J&K Plans New Srinagar-Pahalgam Road to Boost Tourism

The Jammu & Kashmir Public Works (R&B) Department has announced plans to construct an alternative road from Srinagar to Pahalgam via Khrew, Wahab Sahib, Syedabad (Pastuna), Karmula Tral, and Lehndajan. The new route is expected to reduce the travel distance between Srinagar and Pahalgam by approximately 30 kilometers, enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in the lesser-explored upper regions of Tral. The project was discussed in response to a Starred Assembly Question raised by MLA Pampore, retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi. The Minister Incharge highlighted that the initiative would boo..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?