Plea In Supreme Court Seeks Directions For Safeguarding Life of Forest Rangers, Forest Guards In The National Capital

A plea has been filed in Supreme Court for protection of Forest Rangers, Forest Guards & other field staff of the State Forest Department in terms of better protective equipment, arms & staff strength. 

It has been argued that the National Capital foresters have a number of responsibilities that relate to securing forest land & removing encroachments thereof protecting forests from illegal logging, protecting wildlife & protecting every single tree under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act 1994. 

The plea preferred by Bhavreen Kandhari filed through Advocate on Record Manan Verma states that the staff is under tremendous pressure & are threatened & assaulted while discharging their statutory duties in the National Capital. 

The matter will be heard on April 20, 2021 by Bench of Hon’ble Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna & Justice V Ramasubramanian.

“We as a nation are truly indebted to the “Green Soldiers” for their daunting tireless efforts to protect & preserve nature & its gift however forest officials are not safe in the National Capital”, the plea reads.

The petitioner has averred for taking all necessary steps to protect the duty bound Forest Rangers, Forest Guards & other field staff ie “Green Soldiers” by providing them with appropriate weapons, uniforms, vehicles & other ancillary logistical support in order to ensure protection in the line of duty. 

In this context, it has also been averred that unarmed, un-uniformed, un trained force being made to face heavily armed & organised encroachers, poachers & smugglers is violative of Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

“To further maintain intergenerational equity it is imperative that we take absolute & resolute steps towards protecting our environment & our children’s future & keeping this aim in mind, we must strive to strengthen the protectors”- excerpt from the plea. 

Therefore the petitioner being aggrieved by the fact that the custodians of the nature themselves & underequipped & helpless has prayed for issuance of an appropriate writ directing the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change to post adequate number of IFS officers with Department of Forest & Wildlife & direct Govt of NCT of Delhi to provide arms, uniforms, wireless equipment, bullet proof gear, vehicles & other necessary equipment & logistical support to the forestry staff of the National Capital for the discharge of their statutory duties. 

The petitioner has also sought for directing Govt of NCT of Delhi & Department of Forest & Wildlife to create forest stations in all forest divisions of the National Capital at par with similar forest stations in the State of Kerala for effective protection & management of forest & wildlife & also direct the Govt of NCT of Delhi & Department of Forest & Wildlife  to establish its own forest training school. Lastly, the petitioner further seeks for issuance of an appropriate order to direct the Department of Forest & Wildlife to create & adopt its own Forest Code/Manual for effective management of forest & wildlife. 

Case Title: Bhavreen Kandhari v. Union of India & Ors |WP(C) 369 of 2021