Gauhati High Court
X X X X vs In Re - The Union Of India And 7 Ors on 20 October, 2020
Author: Manish Choudhury
Bench: Manish Choudhury
Page No.# 1/13
GAHC010077512020
THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT
(HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)
Case No. : PIL(Suo Moto) 3/2020
1:X X X X
GUWAHATI, ASSAM
VERSUS
1:IN RE - THE UNION OF INDIA AND 7 ORS
REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF MINES, SHASTRI BHAWAN,
DR. RAJENDRA PRASAD ROAD, ROOM NO. 320, A-WING, NEW DELHI -
110001
2:THE STATE OF ASSAM
REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY
GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM
DISPUR
GUWAHATI - 781006
3:THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM
HOME AND POLITICAL DEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI - 781006
4:THE COMMISSIONER AND SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF
ASSAM
FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI - 781006
5:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR AND HEAD OF FOREST FORCE
ARANYA BHAWAN
PANJABARI
GUWAHATI - 781037
6:THE DIRECTOR
THE DIRECTORATE OF GEOLOGICAL AND MINING DEPARTMENT
Page No.# 2/13
KAHILIPARA
GUWAHATI - 781019
7:COAL INDIA LIMITED
REPRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN-CUM-MANAGING DIRECTOR
COAL BHAWAN
PREMISE NO.04 MAR
PLOT NO. AF-III
ACTION AREA-1A
NEWTOWN
RAJARHAT
KOLKATA - 700156
8:THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
DISTRICT - TINSUKIA
ASSAM
PIN - 78612
Advocate for the Petitioner : MR. T J MAHANTA, SR. ADV
Advocate for the Respondent : MR. M Z AHMED (R7)
Linked Case : PIL 29/2020
1:MRINMOY KHATANIAR AND ANR.
S/O- LATE BIJOY CH KHATANIAR
R/O- NARIKALBARI PATH
MT ROAD
GUWAHATI- 781024
2: AMAR JYOTI DEKA
S/O- LATE BHABENDRA NATH DEKA
R/O- H NO. 20
NAMONI PATH
KARBI PATH
MOTHER TERESA PATH
P.O- BAMUNIMAIDAM
P.S- GEETANAGAR
GHY- 21
ASSAM
VERSUS
1:UNION OF INDIA AND 9 ORS
Page No.# 3/13
REP. BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVT OF INDIA
MIN OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
INDIRA PARYAVARAN BHAWAN
JORBAGH ROAD
NEW DELHI- 110003
2:MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NER OFFICE
LAW U SIB
LUMBATNGEN
NEAR MTC WORKSHOP
SHILLONG- 7930211
3:THE STATE OF ASSAM
REP. BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO THE GOVT OF ASSAM
ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST DEPTT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI- 06
4:THE CHIEF SECRETARY
TO THE GOVT OF ASSAM
DISPUR SECRETARIAT COMPLEX
GUWAHATI- 06
5:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS AND HEAD OF
FOREST FORCE
H BLOCK
2ND FLOOR
JANATA BHAWAN
DISPUR
GUWAHATI- 781006
ASSAM
6:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST (WILDLIFE)
H BLOCK
2ND FLOOR
JANATA BHAWAN
DISPUR
GUWAHATI- 781006
ASSAM
7:NATIONAL BOARD FOR WILDLIFE
REP. BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL BOARD FOR
WILDLIFE
MIN OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (WILDLIFE DIVISION)
6TH FLOOR
Page No.# 4/13
VAYU WING
INDIRA PARYAVARAN BHAWAN
JORBAGH ROAD
NEW DELHI- 110003
8:STATE BOARD FOR WILDLIFE
REP. BY ITS CHAIRMAN
DISPUR SECRETARIAT COMPLEX
GUWAHATI- 06
9:COAL INDIA LIMITED
COAL BHAWAN
PREMISE NO. 04 MAR
PLAT NO AF-III
ACTION AREA -1A
NEW TOWN
RAJARHAT
KOLKATA- 700156
10:CHIEF GENERAL MANAGER
NE COAL FIELDS
COAL INDIA LIMITED
SUB DIV MARGHERITA
DIST- TINSUKIA
ASSAM
PIN- 786181
Advocate for the Petitioner : MR. D K DAS
Advocate for the Respondent : ASSTT.S.G.I.
Linked Case : PIL 45/2020
1:BIBEK DAS AND ANR
S/O- LATE REBAKANTA DAS
R/O- VILL- KUHIARBARI
P.O- ARAGANG
P.S- GINGIA
DIST- BISWANATH
ASSAM
PIN- 784167
2: PANKAJ KUMAR DAS
S/O- LATE LAMBODAR DAS
R/O- H NO. 49
BYE LANE 3
SREENAGAR
Page No.# 5/13
R G BARUAH ROAD
P.S- DISPUR
DIST- KAMRUP (M)
ASSAM
PIN- 781005
VERSUS
1:THE UNION OF INDIA AND 7 ORS
REP. BY THE SECRETARY
MIN OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
GOVT OF INDIA
NEW DELHI- 110001
2:NATIONAL BOARD FOR WILDLIFE
REP. BY THE DIRECTOR OF WILDLIFE PRESERVATION
PARYAVARAN BHAWAN
LODI ROAD
NEW DELHI- 110001
3:MIN OF MINES
GOVT OF INDIA
REP. BY ITS SECRETARY (MINES)
NEW DELHI- 110001
4:THE STATE OF ASSAM
REP. BY PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS AND HEAD OF
FOREST FORCE
DEPTT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
GOVT OF ASSAM
ARANYA BHAWAN
PANJABARI
GUWAHATI
ASSAM
PIN- 781037
5:DEPTT OF MINES AND MINERALS
GOVT OF ASSAM
REP. BY ITS ADDL CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVT OF ASSAM
ASSAM SECRETARIAT
GUWAHATI- 781006
ASSAM
6:THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER
DIGBOI FOREST DIVISION
P.O- DIGBOI
DIST- TINSUKIA
ASSAM
Page No.# 6/13
PIN- 786171
7:THE GENERAL MANAGER
COAL INDIA LIMITED
COAL BHAWAN
PREMISE NO. 04
MAR
PLOT NO AF III
ACTION AREA - 1A
NEW TOWN
RAJARHAT
KOLKATA- 700156
WEST BENGAL
8:THE GENERAL MANAGER
M/S NORTH EASTERN COALFIELDS COAL INDIA LIMITED
BLACK DIAMOND TOWERS
GS ROAD
GUWAHATI
ASSAM
PIN- 781006
Advocate for the Petitioner : MS. D GHOSH
Advocate for the Respondent : ASSTT.S.G.I.
Linked Case : I.A.(Civil) 1808/2020
1:MRINMOY KHATANIAR AND ANR.
S/O. LATE BIJOY CH KHATANIAR
R/O. NARIKALBARI PATH
M.T. ROAD
GUWAHATI- 781024
2: AMAR JYOTI DEKA
S/O- LATE BHABENDRA NATH DEKA
R/O- H NO. 20
NAMONI PATH
KARBI PATH
MOTHER TERESA PATH
P.O- BAMUNIMAIDAM
P.S- GEETANAGAR
GHY- 21
ASSAM
VERSUS
1:UNION OF INDIA AND 9 ORS.
Page No.# 7/13
REP. BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVT OF INDIA
MIN OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
INDIRA PARYAVARAN BHAWAN
JORBAGH ROAD
NEW DELHI- 110003
2:MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NER OFFICE
LAW U SIB
LUMBATNGEN
NEAR MTC WORKSHOP
SHILLONG- 7930211
3:THE STATE OF ASSAM
REP. BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO THE GOVT OF ASSAM
ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST DEPTT
DISPUR
GUWAHATI- 06
4:THE CHIEF SECRETARY
TO THE GOVT OF ASSAM
DISPUR SECRETARIAT COMPLEX
GUWAHATI- 06
5:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS AND HEAD OF
FOREST FORCE
H BLOCK
2ND FLOOR
JANATA BHAWAN
DISPUR
GUWAHATI- 781006
ASSAM
6:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST (WILDLIFE)
H BLOCK
2ND FLOOR
JANATA BHAWAN
DISPUR
GUWAHATI- 781006
ASSAM
7:NATIONAL BOARD FOR WILDLIFE
REP. BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL BOARD FOR
WILDLIFE
MIN OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (WILDLIFE DIVISION)
6TH FLOOR
Page No.# 8/13
VAYU WING
INDIRA PARYAVARAN BHAWAN
JORBAGH ROAD
NEW DELHI- 110003
8:STATE BOARD FOR WILDLIFE
REP. BY ITS CHAIRMAN
DISPUR SECRETARIAT COMPLEX
GUWAHATI- 06
9:COAL INDIA LIMITED
COAL BHAWAN
PREMISE NO. 04 MAR
PLAT NO AF-III
ACTION AREA -1A
NEW TOWN
RAJARHAT
KOLKATA- 700156
10:CHIEF GENERAL MANAGER
NE COAL FIELDS
COAL INDIA LIMITED
SUB DIV MARGHERITA
DIST- TINSUKIA
ASSAM
PIN- 786181
Advocate for the Petitioner : MR. D K DAS
Advocate for the Respondent :
Linked Case : PIL 36/2020
1:BASANTA DEKA
S/O. LT. LOKNATH DEKA
R/O. KARUNAMOYEE HOUSING APARTMENT
M.C. ROAD
UZAN BAZAR
GUWAHATI-781003.
VERSUS
1:THE UNION OF INDIA AND 5 ORS.
REP. BY SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Page No.# 9/13
(MoEF AND CC)
GOVT. OF INDIA
NEW DELHI.
2:THE NATIONAL BOARD OF WILD LIFE (NBWL)
REP. BY THE CHAIRPERSON
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(MoEF AND CC)
GOVT. OF INDIA
NEW DELHI.
3:THE STATE OF ASSAM
REP. BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY
ASSAM SACHIVALAYA
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-06.
4:THE ASSAM STATE BOARD FOR WILD LIFE (SBWL)
REP. BY THE CHAIRPERSON
DEPTT. OF ENVIRONMENT
GOVT. OF ASSAM
ASSAM SACHIVALAYA
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-06.
5:THE GENERAL MANAGER
M/S COAL INDIA LTD.
COAL BHAWAN
PREMISE NO.004
MAR
PLOT NO.AF-III
ACTION AREA 1A
NEWTON RAJARHAT
KOLKATA-7000156.
6:THE GENERAL MANAGER
M/S NORTH EASTERN COAL FIELDS LTD.
COAL INDIA LTD.
BLACK DIAMOND TOWERS
G.S. ROAD
GUWAHATI.
Advocate for the Petitioner : MR. T GOGOI
Advocate for the Respondent : ASSTT.S.G.I.
Page No.# 10/13
Linked Case : PIL 30/2020
1:VIKRAM RAJKHOWA AND ANR.
S/O SRI JYOTI PRASAD RAJKHOWA
R/O NARIKAL BARI
P.S GEETANAGAR
GUWAHATI-781024
DIST. KAMRUP(M)
ASSAM
2: SANTANU BARTHAKUR
S/O SRI AWANI BARTHAKUR R/O GANESH MANDIR PATH
NEW GUWAHATI
P.S. NOONMATI
DIST. KAMRUP(M)
ASSAM
VERSUS
1:THE UNION OF INDIA AND 16 ORS.
REP. BY THE SECRETARY MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE (MOEF AND CC)
GOVT. OF INDIA
NEW DELHI
2:THE SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE GOVT. OF
INDIA
NEW DELHI
3:THE CHAIRPERSON
STANDING COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL BOARD FOR WILD LIFE (NBWL)
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE GOVT. OF
INDIA
NEW DELHI
4:THE CHAIRPERSON
NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY AUTHORITY (NBA)
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE GOVT. OF
INDIA
NEW DELHI
5:THE CHAIRPERSON
FOREST ADVISORY COMMITTEE (FAC)
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE GOVT. OF
INDIA
NEW DELHI
6:THE COMMISSIONER AND SECREATRY
Page No.# 11/13
ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST DEPTT. GOVT. OF ASSAM
SACHIVALAYA
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
ASSAM
7:THE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST
ARANYA BHAWAN
PANJABARI
GUWAHATI
8:THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER
DIGBOI FOREST DIVISION
P.O. DIGBOI
DIST. TINSUKIA
9:THE CHAIRPERSON
STATE BOARD FOR WILD LIFE (SBWL)
ASSAM
DEPTT. OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST
GOVT. OF ASSAM
ASSAM SACHIVALAYA
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
10:THE CHAIRPERSON
ASSAM STATE BIODIVERSITY BOARD (ASBB)
DEPTT. OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST
GOVT. OF ASSAM
ASSAM SACHIVALAYA
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
11:THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
TO THE GOVT. OF ASSAM
MINES AND MINERALS DEPTT. ASSAM SACHIVALAYA
DISPUR
GUWAHATI-781006
12:THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
TINSUKIA
O/O DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
BORGURI
DIST. TINSUKIA
13:THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
ASSAM
ASSAM POLICE HEAD QUARTERS
Page No.# 12/13
ULUBARI
GUWAHATI-781007
14:THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
TINSUKIA
O/O THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
BORGURI
DIST. TINSUKIA
15:THE STATE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH
REP. BY ITS CHIEF SECREATRY
ITANAGAR
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
16:THE GENERAL MANAGER
M/S COAL INDIA LTD. COAL BHAWAN PREMISE NO. 004 MAR
PLOT NO. AF-III
ACTION AREA-1A
NEWTOWN
RAJARHAT
KOLKATA-700156
17:THE GENERAL MANAGER
M/S NORTH EASTERN COALFIELDS
COAL INDIA LTD. BLACK DIAMOND TOWER
GS ROAD
GUWAHATI
KAMRUP (M)
ASSAM
Advocate for the Petitioner : PETITIONER IN PERSON
Advocate for the Respondent : GA
ASSAM
BEFORE
HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE (ACTING)
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MANISH CHOUDHURY
ORDER
Date : 20-10-2020 [N. Kotiswar Singh, CJ (Acting)] Heard Mr. D.K. Das, learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Mr. P.N. Goswami, learned Standing counsel, Forest Department.
Page No.# 13/13 The report related to the enquiry ordered on 20.07.2020 is to be submitted within 6 (six) months. In that view of the matter, list the matter on completion of 6 (six) months thereof i.e. in the month of January, 2021.
List the matter in the 1st week of February, 2021.
JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE (ACTING) Comparing Assistant