NATURE LOVERS MOVEMENT vs STATE OF KERALA .

The Supreme Court addressed the applicability of Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, determining that it is prospective in nature. The Court held that the Government of Kerala is required to obtain prior approval from the Central Government before granting pattas or leasehold rights to unauthorized occupants of forest land. This ruling emphasizes the necessity of adhering to the statutory framework established for forest conservation, reinforcing the legal principle that unauthorized encroachments cannot be legitimized without due process as mandated by the Act.