- 1 - IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA. WRIT PETITION NO. 523 OF 2011. Shri Shripad Hari Pai, resident of Khalchawada, Arambol, Pernem Goa. …....... Petitioner. Versus 1 Shri Pandurang Rama Khovnekar, resident of Khalchawada, Arambol, Pernem Goa. 2 Shri Digambar Hari Pai; 3 Shri Shridhar Hari Pai; 4 Shri Pradeep Lau Khavnekar, 5 Shri Rajesh Lau Khavnekar, 6 Shri Manjunath Laxman Dabholkar, 7 Shri Prakash Harischandra Satelkar, - 2 - 8 Shri Vithal Dhabolkar, 9 Shri Nhanu Dhondu Satelkar, 10 Shri Manohar Jairam Satelkar, All residents of Khalchawada, Arambol, Pernem- Goa. 11 The Conservator of Forests, Forest Department, having office at Third Floor, First Lift, Junta House, Panaji Goa. 12 The Deputy Collector & SDO having office at Pernem Goa. …....... Respondents. Mr. D. Pangam, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. G. Shirodkar, Advocate for respondent nos. 11 and 12. CORAM :- A. P. LAVANDE, J. DATE : 30 th August, 2011. ORAL JUDGMENT : Heard Mr. D. Pangam, learned Advocate for the - 3 - petitioner and Mr. G. Shirodkar, learned Advocate for the respondent. 2. Considering the nature of the order which I propose to pass, I do not deem it necessary to issue notices to respondent nos. 1 to 10 before disposing of the matter. 3. Rule. Rule is made returnable forthwith. 4. By this petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner challenges order dated 22nd August, 2011 passed by the Appellate Authority under The Goa Trees Preservation Act, 1984. The impugned order reads thus:- “The order NO. DCP/PER/Goa-Pres/ 50/09 dated 08/07/2009 passed by the Dy. Collector and Sub Divisional Officer, Pernem is hereby stand and it should be followed in its spirit. The aggrieved parties may approach to the Higher Authority. - 4 - The order issued to be complied within 15 days.” 5. Perusal of the impugned order discloses that absolutely no reasons have been given by the Appellate Authority. It is axiomatic that a judicial/quasi judicial authority exercising jurisdiction under any statue is bound to give reasons while disposing of the statutory appeal. The impugned order deserves to be quashed and set aside solely on the ground that no reasons are given. Therefore, I do not deem it necessary to give notice to respondent nos. 1 to 10 who had initiated proceedings before the Deputy Collector. 6. In view of the above, the impugned order dated 22nd August, 2011 passed by the Appellate Authority under The Goa Trees Preservation Act, 1984 in Appeal no. 7/2009 is quashed and set aside. Appellate Authority to decide the appeal afresh in accordance with law. The Appellate Authority to give reasons while disposing of the appeal. - 5 - 7. Rule is made absolute in the aforesaid terms. No order as to costs. 8. The petitioner to appear before the Appellate Authority on 27.9.2011 at 10.00a.m. The Appellate Authority shall dispose of the matter expeditiously. 9. Writ Petition stands disposed of. A. P. LAVANDE, J. vn*