Mandating Ecological Restoration and Strict Transparency Portals for Forest Land Diversion in Infrastructure Projects
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Case: Mahararashtra State Electricity Transmission Co Ltd v. The State Of Maharashtra THR. G. P. And Ors
Court: Bombay High Court
Date: 04-08-2026
Law: Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam.
Highlights of the Judgment:
- Detailed legal analysis regarding forest land diversion under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 for projects of national importance.
- Enforcement of core ecological restoration principles over mere numerical replacement in compensatory afforestation schemes.
- Judicial critique of distant non-mangrove afforestation sites and reinforcement of local environmental benefits for affected residents.
- Mandatory establishment of public web portals, district-wise land banks, and GIS geo-tagging to ensure transparency.
- Imposition of strict bi-annual audit reporting and monitoring mechanisms backed by contempt penalties for default.