The Uttarakhand High Court has taken a stern stance on alleged illegal construction activities on forest department land in the scenic town of Bhimtal. During a hearing concerning John's Estate, the court issued direct orders to multiple government authorities, demanding a detailed report and setting a strict deadline of December 29 for the next hearing.
Court's Directives and Official Non-Compliance
A division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Subhash Upadhyay presided over the Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The bench directed the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), and the District Development Authority to submit a comprehensive report on the matter. This order came after the petitioner's counsel informed the court that its earlier directions had been completely ignored.
No survey or investigation had been conducted despite the court's previous orders, a fact that was strongly highlighted during the proceedings. Several senior officials, including the director of the Forest Research Institute, were present before the bench during this hearing.
Serious Allegations of Land Record Tampering and Illegal Development
The counsel representing the petitioner levelled serious accusations. It was alleged that multiple land records pertaining to the disputed area in John's Estate are missing. The petitioner's side firmly contended that the land in question is legally classified as forest land, not revenue land.
Based on this classification, a bold demand was placed before the court: all construction undertaken on this land after 1980 should be demolished. Furthermore, the petition alleged that heavy machinery is being actively used for development work without securing necessary permissions. This includes the crucial environmental clearances from the competent authorities, which are mandatory for any activity on forest land.
Next Steps and Judicial Scrutiny
The High Court has fixed December 29 as the next date of hearing. By this date, the concerned officials are mandated to file their report, detailing the current status of the land, the extent of unauthorised construction, and the actions taken so far. The case underscores the ongoing judicial effort to protect forest land in ecologically sensitive regions of Uttarakhand like Bhimtal from encroachment and illegal development.
The court's intervention highlights a significant clash between conservation efforts and unauthorised real estate expansion. The upcoming report and the subsequent hearing on December 29 will be crucial in determining the future of the disputed land at John's Estate.
