Supreme Court Allows Assam Forest Evictions, Committee to Clear 20 Lakh Bighas of Encroached Land

Assam Seeks 1 km Eco-Sensitive Zone for Kaziranga: SC Allows Flexible Buffer Zone

The Assam government's proposal to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park from the default 10 km to just 1 km has ignited a debate on conservation vs. development. This news is critical for understanding ESZ regulations under the Environment Protection Act, the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling on flexible buffer zones, and the implications for wildlife corridors. Prelims focus: ESZ definition, MoEFCC guidelines, SC orders. Mains angle: environment vs. development trade-off, wildlife conservation policies.

Supreme Court Allows Narrow Post-Facto Environment Clearance Amnesty, Sets Aside 2021 OM

The Supreme Court struck down the 2021 Office Memorandum that allowed blanket regularisation of projects without prior environmental clearance. However, it permitted a narrowly tailored amnesty scheme if justified by compelling public interest, shifting from its earlier absolute ban. This judgment reinforces the precautionary principle and proportionality, requiring the government to demonstrate necessity and weigh environmental costs.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Maharashtra’s Methanol Denaturing Rules as Unconstitutional: Violates Articles 14 & 19(1)(g)

Supreme Court struck down Maharashtra's Rules 18A & 18B of the Poisons Rules mandating colourant/bitterant in methanol, holding them disproportionate and violative of Articles 14 and 19(1)(g). The court also issued detailed guidelines to prevent hooch tragedies. This judgment is critical for understanding proportionality test and state regulation of industrial poisons.

AP High Court Declares Three-Capitals Petitions Infructuous; Amaravati Now Sole Capital Under AP Reorganisation (Amendment) Act 2026

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has deemed all petitions against the proposed three-capitals model as infructuous after Parliament amended the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, making Amaravati the sole capital by law. This ends a long-standing political and legal battle, with implications for state governance and federal structure.

Karnataka High Court Quashes Housing Board Land Acquisition in Bannerghatta ESZ, Upholds Elephant Corridor Protection

The Karnataka High Court quashed land acquisition for a housing project in the Bannerghatta National Park Eco-Sensitive Zone, ruling that elephant corridors are essential habitat, not mere passages, and cannot be displaced for development. This judgment reinforces the legal protection of wildlife corridors and eco-sensitive zones in land acquisition cases, a crucial topic for environment and governance.

SC Stops Assam Teacher Appointments Under Provincialisation; Cites Articles 14, 16, 21A & 254

The Supreme Court on September 8, 2026 restrained Assam from appointing or absorbing teachers in schools and colleges under the provincialisation scheme, in response to a PIL challenging the 2017 Act. The petition argues that the scheme allows entry into government service without fair, transparent and competitive recruitment, violating Articles 14, 16, 21A and 254. This is a high-yield case combining constitutional law, teacher eligibility and Centre-State legislative overlap.

Bombay HC: Private Forest Vesting Under 1975 Act Not Automatic, State Must Follow Procedure

The Bombay High Court ruled that the Maharashtra government cannot automatically declare private lands as 'private forests' under the 1975 Act without following due procedure, overriding the presumption that any forest land vested in the State on August 30, 1975. This judgment, based on Supreme Court precedents, affects hundreds of landholders and clarifies a recurring legal dispute between property rights and forest conservation.

MoTA States Forest Rights Act 2006 Has No Provision for Gram Sabha Consent for Forest Clearance

The Forest Rights Act 2006 is being systematically weakened as the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) now states that the Act has no provision for gram sabha consent for forest clearance, directly contradicting its constitutional duty and the 2013 Supreme Court Niyamgiri judgment. A parliamentary committee has proposed allowing 70-75% gram sabha consent for large hydropower projects, further eroding tribal rights in favor of infrastructure development.