Draft policy on inspection, verification, monitoring and the overall procedure relating to the grant of forest clearances and identification of forests
The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in their Judgment dated 6th July 2011 in the Interlocutory Application No. 1868 of 2007 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 202 of 1995 in the matter of T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad versus Union of India and others (hereinafter referred to as 'Lafarge Judgement') inter-alia directed that the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) will prepare a comprehensive policy for inspection, verification and monitoring and the overall procedure relating to the grant of forest clearances and identification of forests in consultation 'With the States (given that forests fall under entry 17 A of the Concurrent List). Accordingly, the MoEF vide Order dated 5th July 2012 constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of the Addl. Director General of Forests (Forest Conservation) in the MoEF to formulate a draft policy.