K.S. Radhakrishnan, J.

Petitioner in O.P. No. 8209 of 1995 is now holding 14.85 acres of land in R.S.No.1 of Ullipadam Village, Ernad Taluk, which was part of a private forest vested in the Government as per the provisions of Private Forests (Vesting and assignment) Act, 1971 (Act 26 of 1971). The area was subject matter of O.A. No. 65 of 1977 of Forest Tribunal, Manjeri, the order of which was confirmed by this Court in M.F. A. No. 439 of 1979. As per the order of the Tribunal, an area of 14.85 acres was handed over to the petitioner on 20.2.1995 after completing all formalities.

2. Government of Kerala issued a notification dated. 28.2.1989 under S.5(1) of Kerala Preservation of Trees Act, 1986 in the Gazette dated 13.3.1989 directing that no tree standing in the area specified in the Schedule thereto shall be cut, uprooted, burnt or otherwise destroyed except on the ground that the tree constitutes a danger to life or property; or the tree is dead, diseased and wind fallen. Reason for issuing such a notification was that the area is supported by valuable tree growth. Felling of trees in the area would adversely affect the ecological balance and would lead to soil erosi