A first: Ministry revokes permission to religious trust to use forestland

In a first-of-its-kind decision, the Environment Ministry has revoked the clearance given to a religious Trust for utilising forestland within Gujarat’s Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary. The Mukundpuriji Maharaj Seva Trust had been granted permission to use 0.35 hectares of the sanctuary land but failed to establish its legal right over the area in official records.

The standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife, which oversees such approvals, decided to withdraw the clearance after concluding that the Trust’s claim was unsupported by any forest settlement or government documentation. This case may set a precedent for future applications seeking land within protected areas for religious or similar purposes.

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasised the need for a formal protocol for dealing with religious institutions applying for forestland permissions. He called for the creation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure transparency and consistency in reviewing such requests.

Minister Yadav highlighted the significance of sacred sites located within forests, which are often referenced in religious texts. He noted that followers may wish to develop these areas out of devotion but stressed that such requests must follow the proper legal and environmental procedures.

Claim not recorded in official settlement: Standing committee

• The standing committee found that the Trust’s claim to the land was not recorded in any official settlement or government records
• This decision could influence future cases involving requests for the use of protected lands by religious institutions
• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav called for a standardised process for handling applications from religious organisations seeking land inside forests
• Yadav also highlighted the significance of sacred sites located within forests, which are often referenced in religious texts
• The Environment Minister noted that followers may wish to develop these areas out of devotion but stressed that such requests must follow the proper legal and environmental procedures