Kondhwa reserved forest land transfer initiated after SC order

Following the May 15 SC order, district collector instructed officials to inspect the site and start process of land transfer

- Gayatri Vajpeyee

PUNE: Acting on the Supreme Court's (SC's) directions, the Pune District Collectorate has initiated the process of transferring 29 acres and 15 gunthas of reserved forest land in Kondhwa Budruk to the forest department.

The move follows an SC order dated May 15 which declared as void a 1998 allotment of this forest land to members of the Chavan family. The land was later sold to Richie Rich Cooperative Housing Society (RRCHS) for a multi-storey housing project. The SC also declared as void all subsequent transactions and developments on this land, citing a clear violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

The transfer of this land to the forest department is intended to ensure compliance with the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and prevent further encroachment or unauthorised use.