Proper nod not taken, HC stays STP work on Baijnath forest land

The court was informed that the original approval had been granted under Section 3(2) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, for diverting forest land for a water storage tank at Mohal in Gandhi Gram. However, the petitioners alleged that the authorities subsequently began construction of a STP on the same land, a purpose not covered by the original permission granted.

According to the submissions recorded by the court, the Forest Department, through a communication dated January 18, 2025, directed the authorities to prepare a fresh forest land diversion case for the STP under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. It also directed that construction activities at the site should not be undertaken, with the earlier permission having been withdrawn.