Give details on action taken over the depletion of forest cover: Gauhati High Court

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has directed the PCCF (Principal Chief Conservator of Forests)-cum-Head of Forest Force, Assam, to file a reply to the general concern as raised in a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) – 77/2018 – over the depletion of forest cover in Assam and also as to what 'Forest Management Plan' is there.

The direction added that the move "is required in terms of the 'Forest (Conservation) Act-1980' as well as the orders passed by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of T.N. Godavarman Thirumulkpad -Vs- Union of India, reported in (1997) 2 SCC 267 from time to time".

Filing the petition, NGO (Non-Government Organisation) – Asom Basaok has raised serious concern about the depletion of forest cover in the State. Mentionably, there are various Forest Divisions and Forest Conservation areas.

The hearing was carried out by a Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak. The Court will hear the case again on October 4, 2021.

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