A. JOHN KENNEDY ETC. versus STATE OF TAMIL NADU AND OTHERS ETC.

A. JOHN KENNEDY ETC. versus STATE OF TAMIL NADU AND OTHERS ETC.

The Supreme Court directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to conduct an extensive scientific survey of the entire Agasthyamalai landscape (including Periyar Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghamalai and Thirunelveli Wildlife Sanctuaries) to identify instances of non-forestry activities contrary to statutory provisions, provide comparative data on historical and current forest cover, and recommend measures for restoration of reserved forests, tiger habitats, elephant corridors and other wildlife reserves; CEC may use Remote Sensing Satellite Imagery and Geo Mapping; State and district authorities, police and forest officials must assist; CEC...

Parties
Petitioners: A. John Kennedy Etc.; Respondents: State of Tamil Nadu and Others Etc.
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
24 March 2025
Procedural Posture
Special Leave Petition (civil) / Hearing in Supreme Court; Interim Directions Issued
Outcome
Directions issued
Legal Topics
Removal of Encroachments, Restoration of Forests, Tiger Habitat Protection, Rehabilitation of Displaced Tea Estate Workers, Biosphere Reserve Protection
Forest Conservation Act, 1980 Wild Life (protection) Act, 1972 Tamil Nadu Forests Act, 1882 Environmental Law Removal of Encroachments Restoration of Forests Tiger Habitat Protection Rehabilitation of Displaced Tea Estate Workers +1 more

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Parties

A. John Kennedy Etc.

Petitioners

State of Tamil Nadu and Others Etc.

Respondents

Procedural Posture

Special Leave Petition (civil) / Hearing in Supreme Court; Interim Directions Issued

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether encroachments on and non-forestry uses of lands in the Agasthyamalai landscape (including reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves) should be surveyed and removed and the areas restored
  2. 2 Whether displaced tea estate workers evicted after declaration of the lands as reserved forest/wildlife areas are entitled to rehabilitation, re-employment or compensation

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to conduct an extensive scientific survey of the entire Agasthyamalai landscape (including Periyar Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghamalai and Thirunelveli Wildlife Sanctuaries) to identify instances of non-forestry activities contrary to statutory provisions, provide comparative data on historical and current forest cover, and recommend measures for restoration of reserved forests, tiger habitats, elephant corridors and other wildlife reserves; CEC may use Remote Sensing Satellite Imagery and Geo Mapping; State and district authorities, police and forest officials must assist; CEC...

Court Disposition

Directions issued

Orders

  • CEC to conduct extensive survey of the entire Agasthyamalai landscape including Periyar Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghamalai and Thirunelveli Wildlife Sanctuaries
  • CEC to indicate in its report all instances of non-forestry activities contrary to statutory provisions including the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972