New Delhi, 3rd February 2025: The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Central and State governments not to take any action that would decrease forest areas. This decision will remain in place until further notice.A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K Vinod Chandran was hearing multiple petitions challenging the changes made to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 2023.
The Tripura government suspended its chief conservator of forests IFS Officer Prabin Lal Agarwal, for naming zoo lions Akbar and Sita, offending religious sentiments. The Calcutta High Court responded to a VHP petition and urged West Bengal to consider changing the names of the lions and take action against those responsible. The court emphasized the need to avoid controversy in naming animals.
The Calcutta High Court deliberated on a unique plea filed by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) regarding the naming and housing of a lioness named ‘SITA’ alongside a lion named ‘Akbar’ at Siliguri Safari Park. The petition raised concerns about religious sentiments of Hindus worldwide. The court postponed the hearing to consider the maintainability of the writ, leaving the issue unresolved for now.
The Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud including Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra issued this interim order amidst concerns that the 2023 amendments in Forest (Conservation) Act could potentially lead to the declassification of over 1.97 lakh square kilometers of forest land. On Monday the Supreme Court has mandated that […]