Delhi HC Appoints Justice Nazmi Waziri As Chairman Of Internal Departmental Committee For Protection Of Deemed Forest
The Delhi High Court appointed Justice Nazmi Waziri as the Chairman of the Internal Departmental Committee for the protection and management of deemed forests.
A writ petition was filed by the Petitioner concerning the demarcation, conservation, protection and management of forests in the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD).
The Bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed “In that view of the matter, it is deemed appropriate to request Mr. Justice Nazmi Waziri (Retd.), learned former Judge of this Court to accept the Chairmanship of the Internal Departmental Committee, which would ably assist the learned Judge. Dr. P. Vishwakannan, Chief Conservator of Forest, would obviously be of great assistance to the Chairman and is requested to continue so.”
Advocate Gautam Narayan was Amicus Curiae, Aditya N. Prasad appeared for the Petitioner whereas ASC Avishkar Singhvi appeared for the Respondents.
Dr. P Viswakannan, the Chief Conservator of Forest described in a detailed manner in which the Committee headed by him is trying to collate the information relatable to the issue from various land-owning agencies. He submitted that within a short period, the basic information would be collated and presented to the Court in the form of a report.
Amicus Curiae Narayan suggested that the nomination of a learned Retired Judge of the Court would instil more seriousness in the various departments to act in tandem with each other.
The Court observed, “After hearing the learned amici, Mr. Singhvi as also Dr. P. Viswakannan, Chief Conservator of Forest, it is clear that all the parties are adverting and moving towards the goal of ensuring that the forests and deemed forests both are protected from further incursions and denudation of the forest trees. However, it appears to this Court that the other land owning departments though, being party to the present petition, are not serious enough in collecting or assisting the Committee in collating the necessary documents, maps and other records.”
As per previous orders, the Department of Forests and Wildlife, GNCTD, also filed reports concerning the minutes of meetings.
The Court opined that Justice Waziri would be at liberty to include within the ambit of the said Committee, any or other ancillary issues, which may arise from the said Committee’s reference.
Accordingly, the application was disposed of, and the main matter is listed for further date.
Cause Title: Neeraj Sharma v. Union of India and Ors.
Appearances:
Amicus Curiae: Advocate Gautam Narayan
Petitioner: Advocates Aditya N. Prasad and Prabhsahay Kaur
Respondents: CGSC Nidhi Raman, ASC Avishkar Singhvi, Advocates Debarchan De, Kritika Gupta, Naved Ahmed, Vivek Kumar Singh and Dr. P. Viswakannan, Chief
Conservator of Forest.
