Explanation: The Supreme Court (SC) recently directed the Government to follow the definition of “forest” as laid down in the 1996 judgment in T. N. Godavarman Thirumalpad v. Union of India.

T.N Godavarman Thirumalpad v. Union of India (1996): Definition of “forest “was expanded to include:

• All areas recorded as “forest” in any government (Union and State) record, irrespective of ownership, recognition, and classification.
• All areas that conformed to the “dictionary” meaning of forest.
• Areas that are identified as “forest” by expert committees set up by the State governments following the 1996 order.

Source: FORUMIAS