M.C. Mehta Vs. Union of India (Uoi) and ors., in Re: Arora Service Station

- [ s.saghir ahmed and; m. jagannadha rao, jj.] - environment protection and pollution control - forest act, 1927 - sections. 30, 20 and 4 - reserved or protected forest - determination of extent of “ridge” forested area in delhi - contention of applicant that his petrol pump not falling within the ridge and that notification under section. 20 declaring the area a “reserved forest” not yet issued -- it is contended by him that a notification under section 20 has not yet been issued. a copy of the notification, if issued, under section 20 shall also be placed before us. list after summer vacation.s.saghir ahmed and; m. jagannadha rao, jj.1. mr rakesh dwivedi, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant has contended that under the notification issued under section 4 of the indian forest act, 1927 the petitioner had filed the claim which was disposed of by the forest settlement officer with the finding that the petrol pump does not fall within the ridge area. it is contended by him that a notification under section 20 has not yet been issued. that being so, the claim that the entire area is a reserved forest cannot be accepted unless a notification under section 20 is produced before us which shall be done by the counsel for the opposite side within two weeks. mr m.c. mehta has, however, placed before us a notification dated 10-4-1980 by which the entire area was constituted as protected forest under section 30 of the forest act. in this notification the southern boundary of the central ridge has been shown as sardar patel road up to dhaula kuan roundabout. this indicates that the petrol pump in question falls within the ridge area. the effect of this notification shall be considered when the case is next listed. a copy of the notification, if issued, under section 20 shall also be placed before us. list after summer vacation.