Uttarakhand HC Gives State 4 Weeks to Upload Forest-Diversion Proposal for Chukam Rehabilitation, With a Decision Due Within 3 Months

The petitioner alleged that floods in the Kosi River had washed away approximately 70% of the land in Village Chukam, and that the village’s proximity to Jim Corbett National Park created a risk of human-animal conflict

A joint committee had reported that 45 hectares would be required to rehabilitate residents of Chukam and part of Amarpur, identifying forest land in Plot No. 50, Aampokhra Range for that purpose

The State referred to a separate report identifying 97 families in Chukam, including residents classified as unauthorized occupants, and stated that a rehabilitation proposal was being prepared

The petitioner submitted that rehabilitation efforts had been pending since 1993 and that geologists had considered the village unsafe for habitation

The judgment cites no specific statute, precedent, or articulated legal test.

It directs that the competent authority or Regional Empowered Committee consider the forest-land diversion proposal and pass an appropriate order “as per law”.

Given the alleged loss of land, the reported safety concerns, and the longstanding delay in rehabilitation, the Court considered the matter serious enough to require a firm timetable.

It directed the Secretary, Forest, to complete and upload the diversion proposal, leaving its merits to the competent authority or Regional Empowered Committee for decision according to law.

It then required the State Government to take effective rehabilitation steps without further delay.

The State Government must thereafter take effective steps to rehabilitate residents of Chukam and part of Amarpur at appropriate places without further delay.

Any pending applications were also disposed of.