JUDGEMENT

Delivered by Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member

1. The above captioned Original Application was Suo Motu registered by this Tribunal based on the news item published in Eenadu, Chennai Edition, dated 31.01.2025 titled “Illegal encroachment of forest land”.

2. The news report stated that there has been rampant illegal encroachment of the Mangalampeta Forest area of Pulicherla Mandal in Chittoor District, State of Andhra Pradesh, by private respondents causing loss of forest cover. In particular, it is stated that in Survey No.295 around 17.69 Acres and in Survey No.296 around 6 Acres of forest land have been encroached by converting the same into a large agricultural field with around 300 to 400 cows rearing sheds.

3. As the reported encroachment is within the reserve forest area and its conversion into a cowshed is a cause of concern qua environment, notices were issued to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF, Andhra Pradesh and the District Collector, Chittoor District.

4. In response, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (Respondent No.2) has filed a report dated 22.05.2025. In its report, it is stated that pursuant