( 1 ) THIS is a Public Interest litigation. The petitioner seeks a declaration from the Court that the action of Respondent nos. 2 and 3 in permitting the user of forest land contrary to the provisions of Forest (Conservation Act), 1980 (for short the Act ) and G. O. Ms. No. 224 dated 11-11-93, issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh as illegal and void.

( 2 ) THE case of the petitioner in short is that under Section 2 of the Act, no portion of land can be used for any non-forest purpose, such as cultivation of tea, coffee, spices, rubber, oil bearing plants, horticultural crops or medicinal plants. The Government of Andhra Pradesh issued G. O. Ms. No. 224 dated 11-11-93 providing for the constitution of Vana samrakshana Samithi (for short the VSS ) for bringing about the involvement of the people to promote conservation and development of forests. The G. O. contemplated constitution of the VSS comprising two members of every household in the village/hamlet/cluster of villages, and that one out of which should be a woman. Elections are to be conducted by the concerned Forest Range Officer by convening general Body meeting of the VSS. A managing committee is to b