Former CJI Gavai to oversee forest rights claims review in Tamil Nadu

The Supreme Court on Friday constituted a special committee headed by former Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai to examine and scrutinise orders issued by Tamil Nadu authorities pertaining to the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The decision came as the court delivered a sharp rebuke to the state government for its persistent inaction in initiating statutory procedures to identify and adjudicate forest dweller claims in the ecologically significant Agasthyamalai landscape.

The panel's mandate centres on reviewing decisions made by state authorities under the Forest Rights Act framework, which provides legal recognition to the rights of forest-dwelling and scheduled tribe communities. The Agasthyamalai region, spanning parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, is recognised for its ecological importance and biodiversity value, making the proper implementation of forest rights protections particularly critical in the area.

The court's intervention underscores growing judicial concern over implementation gaps in forest rights adjudication across states. Tamil Nadu's failure to proactively process and adjudicate pending claims prompted the Supreme Court to establish the independent committee to ensure compliance with statutory obligations and protect the interests of forest communities in the region.

The appointment of a former CJI to lead the oversight mechanism signals the court's emphasis on the matter, with the committee expected to conduct thorough reviews and recommend corrective measures to expedite the resolution of forest rights claims in the state.