Order

In view of the great significance of the points involved in the matters, relating to the protection and conservation of the forests throughout the country, it was considered necessary that the Central Government as well as the Governments of all the States are heard. Accordingly, notice was issued to all of them. We have heard the learned Attorney General for the Union of India, learned counsel appearing for the States and the parties/appli­cants and, in addition, the learned Amicus Curiae, Shri H.N. Salve, assisted by Sarvashri U.U. Lalit, Mahender Das and P.K. Mano­har. After hearing all the learned counsel, who have rendered very able assistance to the court, we have formed the opinion that the matters require a further indepth hearing to examine all the aspects relating to the National Forest Policy. For this purpose, several points which emerged during the course of the hearing require further study by the learned counsel and, therefore, we defer the continuation of this hearing for some time to enable the learned counsel to further study these points.

2. However, we are of the opinion that certain interim directions are necessary at this stage in respect of some aspects