MP fails to return forest land despite SC order
More than a year after the Supreme Court directed Madhya Pradesh to hand over forest land that had been illegally allotted to private individuals, institutions and the Revenue Department, the State government has failed to fully implement the order, with thousands of hectares still awaiting transfer to the Forest Department.
The Supreme Court, in its May 15, 2025 order, had directed that all forest land recorded as protected forests but under the control of the Revenue Department or allotted to private entities should be vacated and transferred to the Forest Department within one year. Following the verdict, the Centre’s Empowered Committee also instructed the state to ensure compliance, and the then Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) issued directions to all divisional commissioners, collectors and forest officials to identify such land and complete the transfer.
However, despite the deadline having passed, the process remains incomplete. According to official information, nearly 51,463.84 hectares of forest land were found to have been allotted to private individuals and institutions. Of this, only about 39,361.06 hectares have so far been de-notified or otherwise processed for transfer, while a substantial area remains outside the Forest Department’s control, raising concerns over compliance with the apex court’s order.
The report also points to alleged contradictions in official actions. A letter issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) on February 4, 2025 reportedly stated that 153.57 hectares of protected forest land in village Yaranagar, Budhni tehsil of Sehore district, had already been transferred to the Revenue Department through a 1973 notification. However, despite this, no fresh notification has been issued to restore the land to the Forest Department, even though portions of it were allotted in December 2024 to an industrial project. The report alleges that the PCCF’s communication runs contrary to the Supreme Court’s directions, which require all such forest land to remain under the Forest Department.
The delay in implementing the Supreme Court’s order has raised questions over administrative inaction and the state’s compliance with judicial directives on the protection and management of forest land.
