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Synopsis

The Supreme Court has sought the Central Empowered Committee's (CEC) view to develop a comprehensive safety plan to protect forest officials from encroachers and poachers.

A division bench of Justices B R Gavai and Vikram Nath also sought an action taken report from the Telangana government.

The court was hearing an application filed by Senior Advocate and amicus curiae A.D.N Rao, who informed the court about the brutal murder of a Forest Range Officer (FRO) Challamalla Srinivas Rao in Telangana.

Srinivas Rao was killed, after being allegedly assaulted by a group of tribals, following a dispute over forest land, in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana on November 22. The FRO had gone to meet some tribal leaders to resolve the issue of encroachment of reserve forest land and the felling of trees planted by the Forest Department.

The Application filed through Advocate Siddharth Chowdhury sought urgent direction to the concerned authorities to provide protection to the officials, while they are on duty. The senior counsel also sought strict action against the offenders and the concerned States to provide full administrative backing including the support of the police force in dealing with and preventing serious forest offences which are resulting in the large-scale destruction of forests.

Rao in the plea, also stated that recently there have been several instances where Forest Officers and staff of the Forest department faced violent attacks from encroachers/anti-social elements and poachers.

“Since the attack takes place deep inside the forest, they are outnumbered and find it difficult to defend themselves or call for help. In cases where they take action in self defence, they get booked under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1998”, the plea read.

Furthermore, the plea stated, “After the new law for the grant of Forest Rights to the Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, who can prove occupancy, as of 2005, was enacted, attacks on forest officers and forest staff has increased. This is leading to lawlessness within the forest.” It added that unless proper protection is given to the Forest staff in carrying out their duties, it would be impossible for them to protect the forests.

Case Title: T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India & Ors.