Supreme Court Quashes Maharashtra’s Move to Declare Private Lands as Forests

The Supreme Court upheld Maharashtra’s decision to classify extensive private lands in Mumbai, Thane, and adjoining districts as “private forests.”

The Court found that the classification process violated statutory safeguards under the Maharashtra Private Forests (Acquisition) Act, 1975, as landowners were not given prior notice or an opportunity to be heard.

The Court held that such large-scale declarations without due procedure amounted to deprivation of property rights under Article 300A of the Constitution.

Finding serious procedural lapses and non-compliance with the law, the Court ruled the High Court’s decision unsustainable and quashed the state’s notifications.

[State of Maharashtra v Private Landowners]