SC Seeks Details From Uttarakhand Govt on Forest Encroachers in Rishikesh
📅 January 6, 2026
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary, The Vagabond News
The Supreme Court of India on Monday sought a detailed response from the Uttarakhand government on allegations of large-scale encroachment on forest land in and around Rishikesh, directing the state to place comprehensive data on record regarding the extent of illegal occupation and action taken so far.
A Bench hearing the matter asked the Uttarakhand government to clarify how much forest land has been encroached upon, the number of encroachers identified, and the status of eviction or regularisation proceedings, if any. The court also sought information on whether environmental clearances were bypassed and what steps were being taken to prevent further encroachments in the ecologically sensitive region.
Court Flags Environmental Concerns
The issue came up during proceedings related to forest protection and environmental degradation in the Himalayan foothills, where rapid urbanisation and tourism-driven construction have put sustained pressure on forest land and river ecosystems. The Bench observed that Rishikesh, located on the banks of the Ganga and surrounded by reserve forests, cannot afford unchecked encroachment without serious ecological consequences.
“The state must place complete and accurate facts before this court,” the Bench said, stressing that forest land cannot be treated as expendable in the face of commercial or residential expansion.
State Asked to Submit Data
The Uttarakhand government has been directed to file an affidavit detailing:
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The total area of forest land under alleged encroachment in Rishikesh and adjoining areas
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The number of individuals or entities identified as encroachers
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Action taken so far, including eviction notices, demolitions, or pending litigation
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Measures in place to prevent fresh encroachments
The court also asked whether satellite mapping or forest surveys had been conducted to quantify land loss accurately.
Background of the Case
The matter originates from petitions and reports alleging that forest land in Rishikesh has been encroached upon for residential colonies, commercial establishments, and ashrams, often under the guise of religious or tourism-related development. Petitioners have argued that such encroachments violate forest conservation laws and court orders aimed at protecting green cover in hill states.
Environmental activists have repeatedly warned that illegal construction in forest zones increases the risk of landslides, floods, and irreversible damage to biodiversity, especially in a region already vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
Uttarakhand Govt’s Stand
While the Uttarakhand government has maintained that action is being taken against illegal occupants, it has also argued in earlier hearings that some settlements predate stricter forest laws and involve long-standing residents. The Supreme Court, however, indicated that historical occupation cannot automatically justify continued encroachment on notified forest land.
Legal experts say the court’s direction signals closer judicial scrutiny of state-level enforcement of forest protection laws, particularly in environmentally fragile areas.
What Lies Ahead
The Supreme Court is expected to review the state’s affidavit at the next hearing and may issue further directions based on the data submitted. Depending on the findings, the court could order time-bound eviction drives, enhanced monitoring mechanisms, or independent verification of forest land status.
The case adds to growing judicial concern over environmental governance in hill states, where development pressures increasingly collide with ecological limits.
Source: Press Trust of India (PTI); Supreme Court proceedings
News by The Vagabond News
Tags: Supreme Court of India, Uttarakhand, Rishikesh, Forest Encroachment, Environment, Ganga, Judicial Oversight
