Full Judgment Text
ORDER
O.A. No. 217/2026 — Green Advocates Forum vs Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & Ors.
This original application has been filed challenging the illegal diversion of 87 hectares of notified forest land in the Aravalli hills of Haryana by the respondent conglomerate.
FACTS:
The applicant, an NGO, brought to the Tribunal's notice satellite imagery and ground-truth reports evidencing large-scale land clearing, construction of approach roads and excavation within protected forest areas, without any prior approval under Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 or consent under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
FINDINGS:
1. The respondent conglomerate had commenced construction activities within the notified forest area without obtaining Stage-I or Stage-II forest clearance, in clear violation of the Forest Conservation Act.
2. The Haryana State Forest Department's failure to act on complaints constitutes regulatory failure.
ORDER:
1. Environmental compensation of ₹50,00,00,000 (Rupees Fifty Crore) is imposed on the respondent conglomerate.
2. A site restoration plan must be submitted within 90 days.
3. The District Collector is directed to ensure no further construction until clearances are obtained.
O.A. No. 217/2026 — Green Advocates Forum vs Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & Ors.
This original application has been filed challenging the illegal diversion of 87 hectares of notified forest land in the Aravalli hills of Haryana by the respondent conglomerate.
FACTS:
The applicant, an NGO, brought to the Tribunal's notice satellite imagery and ground-truth reports evidencing large-scale land clearing, construction of approach roads and excavation within protected forest areas, without any prior approval under Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 or consent under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
FINDINGS:
1. The respondent conglomerate had commenced construction activities within the notified forest area without obtaining Stage-I or Stage-II forest clearance, in clear violation of the Forest Conservation Act.
2. The Haryana State Forest Department's failure to act on complaints constitutes regulatory failure.
ORDER:
1. Environmental compensation of ₹50,00,00,000 (Rupees Fifty Crore) is imposed on the respondent conglomerate.
2. A site restoration plan must be submitted within 90 days.
3. The District Collector is directed to ensure no further construction until clearances are obtained.