Archive · 23 Sep 2025
Delhi Land Dispute: Forest Department vs. Religious Group
Imagine a religious group has a big piece of land, and the government is trying to decide if it's a forest.
The religious group says they were allowed to plant trees there, making it like farmland.
The government's forest department disagrees, saying it should be considered a forest.
They had a local official, the FSO, make a decision, which supported the religious group.
However, the forest department wasn't happy and has appealed the decision.
Now, the case is being looked at again, and it's all about whether the land is a forest or not, and who gets to decide.
A dispute exists over land in South Delhi between the Forest Department and the RSSB.
The Forest Department contests the status of land held by RSSB in the Bhatti area.
RSSB claims the land was leased for tree plantation.
An FSO ruling sided with RSSB, but the Forest Department has appealed.
The Forest Department argues the land should be part of a reserved forest.
- Who
- The Delhi Revenue Department, Delhi Forest Department, and the Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB).
- What
- A dispute over whether land held by RSSB in South Delhi is considered forest land.
- When
- The FSO issued an order in October 2024; the Forest Department filed an appeal earlier this year.
- Where
- The Bhatti area in South Delhi.
- Why
- To determine the legal status of the land and its potential inclusion in a reserved forest area.
RSSB's Position
Forest Department's Position
Land Classification
RSSB's Position
The land is not forest land, it was leased for tree plantation.
Forest Department's Position
The land should be classified as a reserved forest.
- Entities Involved
- Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB), Delhi Revenue Department, Delhi Forest Department
- Location
- Bhatti area, South Delhi
- Land Area in Dispute
- Around 140 bighas
- RSSB's Claim
- Land leased for tree plantation; not forest land
- Forest Department's Stance
- Land belongs to gram sabha; should be reserved forest
- Current Status
- Forest Department has appealed the FSO's decision