Shimla Officials Urged to Expedite Forest Land Demarcation Following Supreme Court Directive

Urgent Meeting on Forest Land Status

Shimla:
In response to a Supreme Court directive, Shimla's Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap has instructed all Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) in the district to provide a current status report on forest land within a week.

The directive was issued during a video conference that included all Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and DFOs, aimed at reviewing the implementation of the court's orders regarding forest land demarcation.

Concerns have been raised by apple orchardists, who fear that these orders may adversely impact them, as significant areas of forest land have been encroached upon by local residents, leading to the establishment of apple orchards. Recently, numerous mature apple trees were cut down in the Kotkhai and Jubbal subdivisions of Shimla.

The meeting concentrated on executing the directives from writ petition (WP) 1164/2023, which mandates all states and union territories to identify forest lands, reclaim encroached areas, and transfer non-forest lands currently managed by revenue departments to the Forest Department if designated for non-forest uses.

Collaboration Between Revenue and Forest Departments

The Deputy Commissioner reported that the Revenue and Forest Departments are collaborating to implement the Supreme Court's ruling throughout the district. The meeting addressed practical challenges, particularly staffing shortages, which have been identified as a significant obstacle in expediting the land identification process.

To tackle these issues, the DC instructed all SDMs to develop action plans tailored to specific areas to ensure timely compliance. “Even with limited staff, it is essential for all officials to act promptly and strategically to adhere to the court's directives,” Kashyap emphasized.

Strategic Meeting with Senior Officials

The meeting included key figures such as Additional District Magistrate (Law & Order) Pankaj Sharma, District Revenue Officer Sanjeet Sharma, along with all Sub-Divisional Magistrates and DFOs. In-depth discussions were held to enhance inter-departmental coordination and accelerate ground-level operations.

The DC underscored the necessity for the forest land demarcation process to be conducted transparently and within a specified timeframe, given the legal and environmental significance of the matter.