Revenue Authorities Cannot Issue Pattas For Forest Lands: HC
The judge observed that forests were lung spaces and stressed that their protection was a shared responsibility of all government authorities: Report
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court has cautioned revenue authorities against their involvement in forest land matters, making it clear that they could not issue pattas or confer rights over such land, even under pressure from elected representatives or ministers.
Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti made the observations while dealing with a case relating to forest land in the Kagaznagar division of Komaram Bheem Asifabad district.
The court questioned the basis on which revenue authorities had allegedly dealt with forest land and said the forest department could not be kept out of decisions concerning such property. It directed that forest officials be consulted before any action was taken in relation to forest land.
The judge observed that forests were lung spaces and stressed that their protection was a shared responsibility of all government authorities. The court said forest land could not be diverted for purposes unrelated to forests or allowed to be occupied through encroachments.
The court questioned about the pattas that had been issued by revenue officials in forests. Justice Jukanti made it clear that administrative authorities could not pass orders or take decisions contrary to law or the binding directions issued by the Supreme Court for protection of forests.
Finding the coordination between the revenue and forest departments wanting, the court questioned the Komaram Bheem Asifabad district collector, who appeared online, to explain the circumstances leading to the alleged lack of coordination with the district forest officer. The court also ordered the collector to place before it complete details relating to the forest land issue.
The court emphasised that officials must strictly follow statutory provisions and Supreme Court judgments while dealing with forest lands and their protection. The matter was adjourned to October 16.