Alarmed by allegations of widespread encroachment and illegal occupation of protected forest land in Uttarakhand, the Supreme Court on Monday initiated suo motu proceedings, directing an immediate suspension of all construction activity on such land and ordering the State’s Chief Secretary to constitute a fact-finding committee to examine the extent of violations and official lapses.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi suo motu enlarged the scope of the proceedings while hearing a plea filed by one Anita Kandwal challenging a November 14, 2025, judgment of the Uttarakhand High Court. Taking note of the materials placed before it, the Court said the allegations warranted an urgent judicial intervention.
Expressing strong displeasure over the apparent inaction of the State administration, the Chief Justice remarked that forest land was being openly encroached upon without any effective response from authorities.
“What is shocking to us is that the State of Uttarakhand and its authorities are sitting like mute spectators when forest land is being grabbed in front of their eyes. Thus, we initiate a suo motu case,” CJI Kant said.
To prevent further damage, the Court issued a set of immediate restraining directions. It ordered that no construction activity shall take place on forest land and prohibited private parties from creating any third-party rights.
“Meanwhile, all private individuals are restrained from alienating the land, encumber it or create any third-party rights. It goes without saying that no construction activity shall be allowed to take place either,” the bench said in its order.
The Bench further ordered the Forest Department to take over possession of all vacant forest land, excluding areas where residential houses are already standing.
“The vacant land (other than the residential houses) shall be taken into possession by the Forest Department and the Collector concerned”, the order directed.
To ascertain the factual position on the ground, the Court directed the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, along with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, to set up a fact-finding committee. The committee has been tasked with examining the scale and nature of encroachments, identifying those responsible, and assessing how the concerned authorities responded—or failed to respond—to the situation.
“The Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Uttarakhand, are directed to constitute an Enquiry Committee to examine all the facts and submit a report to this Court”, the court ordered.
The case has been directed to be listed for further hearing on January 5, after the Court reopens.
Encroachment of forest land has increasingly become a matter of concern in Uttarakhand, with reports suggesting that protected and ecologically sensitive areas—particularly in hill districts near expanding urban and semi-urban zones—have been steadily occupied for private use, raising serious questions about environmental protection and enforcement failures.