A Balanced Decision for Development and Environment – Boost for Vidarbha Through Shrubland Ruling: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has hailed the Supreme Court’s ruling on shrubland classification as historic and revolutionary, calling it a balanced decision that supports both development and environmental conservation. He said the verdict would provide a significant boost to Vidarbha’s development, and in Nagpur, it paves the way to grant ownership rights to slum dwellers.

Speaking to the media in Nagpur, CM Fadnavis explained that Vidarbha had been fighting for this outcome for the past 45 years. When Maharashtra was formed and Vidarbha was merged from CP & Berar, many land records included the term “shrubland.” In contrast, Madhya Pradesh corrected its records, but in Maharashtra, such lands were classified as forest under the 1980 Forest Act, which stalled various development projects in Vidarbha.

He cited how even landmarks like the Nagpur Railway Station and the High Court building were on lands labeled “shrubland,” limiting progress. This legal status had delayed multiple development and irrigation projects. The court has now exempted land allotted before 1996, and for land allotted post-1996, a process has been laid out whereby the state can seek clearance from the central government.

Fadnavis stressed that one of the most critical demands was to grant ownership rights (pattas) to slum dwellers. Areas like Takia, Chunabhatti, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Jayatala, Ekatmata Nagar, and Ambedkar Nagar in Wadi were previously denied ownership rights as they fell under “shrubland.” Now, legal ownership proceedings can begin.

He mentioned that a committee was formed between 2014 and 2019, and its report was submitted to the Supreme Court. The Court later appointed a Central Empowered Committee (CEC), and the state government’s report was effectively accepted. This decision reflects the long-standing demand of Vidarbha’s political leaders across parties, and will now require 70,000 to 80,000 acres of land to be officially developed as forest to maintain ecological balance.

Calling it a historic and balanced judgment, Fadnavis noted that it would allow both progress and environmental protection to coexist.

Speaking on Maoist extremism, he added, “Maoism is now counting its final days. Basavaraju, a top Maoist leader responsible for several major attacks including the ambush on Chandrababu Naidu and the killing of 75 CRPF jawans, has been neutralized by our security forces.” The Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s resolve to completely eliminate Maoist threats.