Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of In Re: T. N. Godavarman Thirumulpad Vs Union of India & Others dated 03/07/2018 regarding identification of ‘Forest’ in the State of Rajasthan.

The State of Rajasthan accepts Recommendation No. (i) and (iii) of the Report of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) dated 01.06.2005. Recommendation (i) had asked for inclusion of sacred groves such as Orans, De-vans as 'forest land'. While Recommendation (iii)  called for areas which support scanty vegetation, grass lands or eco-systems which have few large trees to be included in the category of 'deemed forest' irrespective of the vegetation supported by such areas. For this CEC recommends constitution of an Expert Committee to identify areas which are representative of various types of desert eco-systems. Further Supreme Court directs the State of Rajasthan to accept the Recommendation No. (ii) of CEC which asked for inclusion of areas recorded as 'Rundh' as 'forest'.