The Supreme Court of India has shown serious concern over the "careless approach" of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) regarding the formation of an Expert Committee for identifying Orans (sacred groves) in Rajasthan. On April 16, the Court ordered the Secretary of the MoEFCC to personally appear before it on April 29, 2025.

The bench, consisting of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih, was dealing with issues in the long-standing T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad case about forest conservation. Expressing disappointment, the Court stated:

"From the record, it appears that MoEFCC is handling the matter casually. When the Court, by its order dated 16.01.2025, had clearly directed a decision before 19.03.2025, MoEFCC should have complied."

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Earlier, the Supreme Court had instructed the MoEFCC and the Rajasthan Forest Department to set up a Committee to identify Orans. The Rajasthan government proposed a four-member Expert Committee on January 8, 2025, consisting of:

• Justice (Retd.) Dalip Singh, Former Judge, Rajasthan High Court (Chairman)
• Shri M.R. Baloch, IFS (Retd.), Former PCCF and Director, AFRI, Jodhpur (Domain Expert)
• Chief Conservator of Forests, Jaipur
• Settlement Commissioner, Rajasthan Land Settlement Department

Following this, the Supreme Court again directed MoEFCC on January 16, 2025:

"It will be appropriate that the MoEFCC addresses the issue at the earliest and takes a final decision with regard to the constitution of the Expert Committee. We direct MoEFCC to take a decision prior to 19.03.2025 and report compliance to this Court."

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However, on March 19, MoEFCC’s counsel requested more time until April 16. When the matter came up again on April 16, Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave, representing MoEFCC, could not confirm whether the Committee had been formed. As a result, the Supreme Court issued a show-cause notice to the Secretary.

The Court made it clear that non-compliance with its previous order could lead to contempt action. Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar acted as Amicus Curiae in the matter.

This serious action by the Court emphasizes the importance of protecting Orans, which hold religious, ecological, and cultural significance in Rajasthan.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 29, 2025.

Case Title: IN RE : T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPAD v. UNION OF INDIA, W.P.(C) No.202/1995​