3 days ago
NGT Orders Rajasthan to Return Forest Land in Jaipur
The National Green Tribunal looked at a disagreement over forest land near Jaipur.
The land covers about 2.9 hectares and is officially recorded as belonging to the Forest Department.
An industrial area appears to have been developed on it.
The Tribunal said there was no proof that the land was legally transferred for that purpose.
It also said forest land needs Central government approval before being used for non-forest activities.
Rajasthan officials must take the land back within 30 days.
They must then protect it as forest land.
The Tribunal also ordered payments totaling Rs 50,000 for the applicant’s legal costs.
The NGT directed Rajasthan’s Forest Department to take possession of 2.9087 hectares in Khasra No. 7/2, Beer Papad village, Jaipur tehsil.
The land is recorded in the Forest Department’s name, while evidence indicated an industrial area had been developed there.
The Tribunal found no material proving a valid transfer of the specific parcel to the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Limited.
It said forest land cannot be used for non-forest purposes without prior Central government approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
Officials must reclaim and protect the land within 30 days; the applicant was awarded Rs 50,000 in litigation costs.
- Who
- The National Green Tribunal, Rajasthan Forest Department, Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Limited, and Rajasthan government officials were involved; the application was filed by Kamal Kant Tiwari.
- What
- The NGT ordered Rajasthan to take possession of 2.9087 hectares of forest land and investigate officials allegedly responsible for failing to protect it.
- Where
- Khasra No. 7/2 in Beer Papad village, Jaipur tehsil, Rajasthan.
- When
- The order was uploaded on September 16, 2026, after the hearing concluded and the order was reserved on September 8.
- Why
- The land was recorded in the Forest Department’s name, evidence indicated industrial development on it, and no valid transfer to RIICO was established.
Key facts
- Land area
- 2.9087 hectares
- Land parcel
- Khasra No. 7/2, Beer Papad village, Jaipur tehsil
- Ordering body
- National Green Tribunal’s Bhopal Central Zone Bench
- Takeover deadline
- Within 30 days
- Litigation costs
- Rs 50,000 total
- Cost allocation
- Rs 30,000 from RIICO and Rs 20,000 from the Forest Department
- Legal requirement
- Prior Central government approval is required to use forest land for non-forest purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
Sources
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