Show Steps Taken To Prevent Encroachment In Reserve Forest: Andhra Pradesh HC To Principal Chief Conservator Of Forest, Nellore Collector

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday (January 22) has directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Guntur District along with District Collector, Nellore District to file a counter showing the steps taken to prevent illegal encroachment in the reserve forest land.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Ravi Cheemalapati passed the order in a Public interest Litigation plea filed by one Andena Venkataramanaiah. The court said,

“It is stated that despite the report having clearly reflected the factum of encroachment, no action was taken was being taken by the official respondents, despite the number of representations that have been moved before the concerned authorities. Issue notice. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and District Collector, Nellore are directed to file a counter showing steps taken.”

During the hearing, it was argued that the reserve forest stretches over 1218 acres within the Rapur Range and Nellore Range in the Nellore District. That as per the Joint survey conducted by the State an extent of 25 acres was encroached at one section of the forest, and an extent of 125 acres was encroached at another section of the forest.

The petitioner contended that despite the report of the joint survey, which was conducted and organized by the State itself, no action has been taken to positively rid the reserve forest of the illegal encroachments.

Placing on record the names of 40 individuals identified as encroachers by the Joint Survey Report, the petitioner contended that despite multiple representations made by him, no action was taken by the official respondents, and thus, with no other effective and alternative remedy, approached the High Court.

The matter was adjourned to March 19. 

Sri AndenaVenkataramanaiah vs. State of AP

Counsel for petitioner: Y.L. Siva Kalpana Reddy.