Report of the Commissioner in the matter of Birendra Singh Vs Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & Others dated July 2018 regarding constructions being carried out by M/s Devanya Resorts Pvt Ltd. which aims to create a township in an ecologically sensitive area, Jilling Estate village, Patti: Sarna, Tehsil: Dhari, District Nainital, Uttarakhand. The Applicant has alleged that this will cause damage to the ecology and hindrance to the free movement of the wildlife.

The report of the Commissioner appointed by NGT concludes that no large scale felling of trees or destruction of forests was noticed. Further the activities that have been undertaken are not likely to have any adverse impact on drinking water availability. On the Contrary the ground water recharge, arrest of soil erosion and planting of grasses on slope will only enhance soil stability, control of land slide and recharge of fresh water aquifers. The Report also recommends that the State of Uttarakhand be directed to finalise the criteria and standard to determine what constitutes “Deemed forest” for the purpose of FC Act within a stipulated time frame considering that draft criteria was prepared way back in 2014.