Skip to main content

NGT delivers green verdict: Shankargarh forest saved from tourism grab!

NGT DELIVERS GREEN VERDICT: SHANKARGARH FOREST SAVED FROM TOURISM GRAB!

In a massive victory for environmentalists, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) delivered a crushing verdict on the evening of October 31, 2025, legally securing the future of the Shankargarh Nagar Van, mere hours after the Tina Khatri's news in Free Press celebrated the park’s transformation in its morning edition.

The NGT's Central Zone Bench, disposing of Original Application No. 37/2025(CZ), ruled in favor of the applicant, Samarjeet Jadhav, and issued strict, mandatory directions to protect the green belt from commercial development.

 Judgment and effects

The NGT's final order ensures that the State Government's prior administrative decision to transfer a large parcel of the forest for tourism is legally quashed and permanently prohibited. The essential points of the judgment are:

 * Maintain Forest Status: The NGT directed the State of Madhya Pradesh to maintain the status of forest on the disputed 50.292 Hectares of land, preventing its classification for non-forest use.

   *Effect: This is the central directive that legally protects the area, which was once a quarry and then restored, from being commercialized as a tourism site.

 * Prohibit Non-Forest Activity: The Tribunal mandated that non-forest activity should not be permitted at Sankargarh Nagar Van.

   * Effect: This halts the proposed commercial tourism project, reinforcing the State Counsel's submission that the Government had taken a "conscious decision to abandon the proposed project."

 * Protection of Biodiversity: The Forest Department is directed to maintain the existing vegetation along with its biodiversity, which includes fauna also.

   * Effect: It secures the area's essential function as the "green lungs" for Dewas and preserves the ecological health of the park.

 * Funded Plantation: The State Government must provide necessary funds to the Forest Department to carry out plantation of long-lasting multipurpose tree species of local origin in existing gaps.

   * Effect: This ensures the park's continued expansion and maintenance is a funded, official responsibility of the state, backing the efforts of the Green Army Team.

 * No Tree Cutting: Respondents must ensure that no trees should be damaged or cut without due permission from the competent authority.

   * Effect: This provides immediate, strict protection against any unauthorized deforestation within the area.

Petitioner’s victory

The contentious issue centered on the District Administration's decision to allot the restored land to the State Tourism Department for alleged non-forest, commercial purposes. The final judgment fully supports the core demands made by the petitioner, Samarjeet Jadhav, who argued the transfer posed a "threat to the very existence of Shankargarh Nagar Van":

"To direct the Respondent State of Madhya Pradesh and District Administration, Dewas to discard any project or plan of initiating non-forest activity at Shankargarh Nagar Van and Biodiversity Park... and to direct State Forest department to enhance forestry activities under CAMPA in Shankergarh Hills, which is restored after extensive mining activities."

The NGT's ruling not only saves the park from commercialization but reinforces the legal commitment to conservation in the spirit of the T. N. Godavarman case, guaranteeing the citizen-led greening of Shankargarh Hills is protected for generations.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CBSE Affiliation Open for the 2026-27 Session under SARAS 6.0

CBSE Affiliation Open for the 2026-27 Session under SARAS 6.0  TINA KHATRI The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) officially opened the online application window for various categories of school affiliation for the 2026-27 academic session on Tuesday. Schools seeking affiliation across multiple categories can now submit their applications via the automated system, SARAS 6.0, which will remain open until June 30, 2025. Himanshu Gupta, CBSE secretary, urged schools to carefully follow the guidelines outlined in the SARAS Manual 6.0. He emphasized, "We strongly advise all applicant schools to carefully review the manual to ensure their applications meet the required standards." Key Requirements for Schools For existing schools, it is crucial that their OASIS data is accurately updated. No incorrect or misleading information should be submitted. Additionally, all schools are required to upload prescribed documents, including details of teachers and their qualifications, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Railway Station Redevelopment Plan: Capacity boost to handle 10,800 passengers/hour

Railway Station Redevelopment Plan Capacity boost to handle 10,800 passengers/hour In response to increasing demand and future growth, the Railway Department has proposed a comprehensive redevelopment plan for Indore Railway Station, aimed at expanding its capacity to handle 10,800 passengers per hour. The design of the new station is being developed with a focus on long-term sustainability, considering the city's projected needs over the next 50 years. The redevelopment aims to create a state-of-the-art facility that will not only accommodate growing passenger traffic but also enhance the overall travel experience. With 7,500 passengers currently traveling daily and 52 pairs of trains operating each day, the need for infrastructure upgrades has become critical. The proposed station will serve as a major hub for commuters and will play a key role in regional connectivity. The new design will include modernized passenger amenities, advanced traffic management systems, and better int...
Post a Comment
Read more

Indore's CBSE Class 10 Results 2025: Girls Lead in Academic Performance

Indore’s CBSE Class 10 Results 2025: Girls Lead in Academic Performance Indore students delivered a strong performance in the CBSE Class 10 examinations for 2025, with several securing above 99%. Ridhima Sarin topped the city with 99.4%, followed by Ved Joshi at 99.2%, and Arth Katiyar with 99%. Geet Bhalerao and Aarush Maheshwari were also among the top scorers with 99.2% and 99%, respectively. Nationally, the overall pass percentage stood at 93.66%, a slight improvement from the previous year. Girls outperformed boys once again, with a pass percentage of 95%, compared to 92.63% for boys—a trend reflected in Indore's results as well. The consistent academic success in the city is attributed to students’ disciplined efforts, strategic preparation, and strong support from schools and families. ________________________________________ City topper Ridhima Sarin with 99.4% Ridhima Sarin has secured the top position in Indore in the CBSE Class 10 board exams, scoring an impressive 99.4%...
Post a Comment
Read more