ORDER

1. After hearing the learned amicus curiae, counsel for the parties and taking into consideration the affidavit of the Union of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests in relation to the survey of ecosystem of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the learned amicus curiae has made certain suggestions.

2. There does not seem to be any objection to this Court in accepting the report of Shri Shekhar Singh that some modifications have been suggested. We therefore, in the first instance, accept the report of Shri Shekhar Singh.

3. On a query being raised by us, Mr Altaf Ahmed, learned Additional Solicitor General, appearing for the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on instructions informed the Court that there is no social forestry in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The wood which is being cut is from the natural forest and plantation of teak, etc. has taken place in the forest, which had been worked out and approximating 40,000 cubic metres of wood is cut from the forest annually for the purposes of the sawmills the total logging of wood being approximately 1,30,000 cubic metres per year. In the last two years, this figure has come down but the fact remains that instea