Civil Writ Petition No.7647 of 2011 -1- **** IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Civil Writ Petition No.7647 of 2011 Date of decision: 2.5.2011 Rajesh Kumar ...Petitioner Versus Union of India and others ...Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE ADARSH KUMAR GOEL, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE AJAY KUMAR MITTAL Present: Mr. Harkesh Manuja, Advocate for the petitioner ADARSH KUMAR GOEL, ACJ. This petition seeks a direction against grant of approval of diversion of forest land for non forest purposes. Case of the petitioner is that Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has issued a letter of intent for setting up of a retail outlet on State highway leading from Panipat to Haridwar and since the site is part of forest land, HPCL has applied to the Divisional Forest Officer, Panipat for use of the land for non forest purposes vide letter Annexure P-5 dated 27.12.2010. The petitioner made a complaint dated 12.1.2011 Annexure P-6 against cutting of trees for setting up of a petrol pump and sent a copy thereof to the Forest Department, Haryana also. The petitioner apprehends that ignoring his objections, Divisional Forest Officer, Panipat may allow the forest land to be used for non forest purposes in violation of statutory provisions of Indian Forest Act, 1927, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and guidelines of Government of India dated 15.7.2004. Civil Writ Petition No.7647 of 2011 -2- **** We have heard learned counsel for the petitioner. We are of the view that the writ petition at this stage is pre- mature. The petitioner has filed his objections to the concerned authority and there is no reason to presume that his objections will not be taken into account. The petition is disposed of without prejudice to the objections of the petitioner being considered in accordance with law. (Adarsh Kumar Goel) Acting Chief Justice May 02, 2011 (Ajay Kumar Mittal) Pka Judge