Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of In Re: T. N. Godavarman Thirumulpad Vs Union of India & Others dated 05/07/2018 regarding misuse of forest rest houses.

Guidelines framed by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) for control and maintenance of Forest Rest Houses / Inspection Bungalows located inside the Forests have been accepted by all concerned parties including the Union of India. Supreme Court directs the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to circulate a copy of this order to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of all the States and ensure that they abide by these guidelines.

One of the main point of the guideline is that the Forest Rest Houses / Inspection Bungalows located within the forest area including the Protected Areas shall not be transferred to private and commercial entities in the name of public – private partnership or by whatever name such an arrangement is called, for promotion of any form of tourism including Ecotourism.