A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court directed the Government to take immediate steps to restore the 20 acres of evergreen virgin forest in Thanchampara panchayat in Palakkad secured by a private person through fraudulent means 1979. Hamza Haji of Karimba, Makkarkkad in Palakkad district, had sought exemption for an extent of 20 acres forming part of 22 hectares that got vested in the Government by the effect of the Private Forests (Vesting and Assignment) Act. The forest tribunal, Manjeri, granted his prayer holding that the 20 acres of land was cultivated. An appeal filed by the State was dismissed by a Division Bench of the High Court.