SITs formed in 12 dists on SC order, will recover diverted forestland

In compliance with the Supreme Court’s orders, the state government has constituted district-level special investigation teams (SITs) to identify forestland it had allotted so that its cost could be recovered from the owners of the diverted forestland.

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The state government had issued a notification regarding the constitution of the SITs in all 12 districts, yesterday. The SITs would examine whether the forestland in the possession of the Revenue Department had been allotted to any individual or institution for any purpose other than forestry.

On May 15, 2025, the Supreme Court had issued directives to all state governments to get the diverted forestland vacated.

Deputy Commissioners would head the 12 SITs while the District Revenue Officers would be Member Secretaries and the Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) would be Members. The SITs would take back the possession of forestland from people and hand it back to the Forest Department.

“If it is found that taking back the forestland is not in the larger public interest, the SITs will recommend to the state government with complete details and justification the recovery of its cost from individuals and institutions,” the order reads. The money collected would be utilised on the protection and development of forest areas.

There are several cases of forestland in the possession of the Revenue Department having been diverted for non-forest activities, which is against norms and the law. The SITs have been constituted to recover the diverted forestland.

May 15 directive

On May 15, the Supreme Court had issued directives to all state governments to get the diverted forestland vacated

Deputy Commissioners will head the 12 SITs while the District Revenue Officers will be Member Secretaries and the Divisional Forest Officers will be Members

The special investigation teams will take back the possession of forestland from people and hand it back to the Forest Department