Transfer of Gir forest land to non-tribals illegal, says HC

The sale of forest land alloted to Maldharis (tribals) as part of rehabilitation from Gir National Park to non-tribals, was illegal, the Gujarat High Court said.
       
Justice M R Shah hearing a petition moved by one of the land holders Anil Chudasama, a non-tribal, observed on Tuesday that transfer of forest land alloted to Maldharis as part of rehabilitation from Gir National Park, to non-tribals, was illegal.
       
Chudasama, who moved the court when the forest officials prevented him from carrying any constructing activities in the forest area of Gir Wildlife Sanctury, which is the only abode of Asiatic Lions.
       
Chudasama who had purchased the land from a Maldhari also said that over 400 non-tribals who are powerful and wealthy people had also purchased land in the said restricted area and no action has been taken against them.
       
The court also directed the Junagadh collector and revenue authorities of Mendarda taluka to furnish details of, all the 400 original allottees of the rehabilitation land given by the government to the Maldharis, and also the list of transferees, who subsequently purchased the land from them.
       
The court also appointed senior advocate Amit Panchal as 'Amicus-Curiae' in the case and kept further hearing of the case on  Thursday.