Zudpi jungle

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that approximately 86,000 hectares of Zudpi jungle lands in eastern Vidarbha, Maharashtra, should be treated as “forest land”. This ends decades of legal ambiguity surrounding these lands.

Key Points from the Ruling (May 22, 2025):

• Zudpi lands cannot be diverted for non-forest use without prior approval from the Central Government.
• Any such conversion must comply with conditions set by the Court.

What Are Zudpi Lands?

• Zudpi (Marathi word): Refers to bushes or shrubs.
• These are inferior-quality wastelands with bushy growth, traditionally unoccupied and used for grazing.
• Classified as Gairan (grazing lands) under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966.
• Spread across six districts of eastern Vidarbha (Nagpur Division):
  • Nagpur
  • Chandrapur
  • Gadchiroli
  • Bhandara
  • Wardha
  • Gondia

Context and Impact:

• These lands have long been used for non-forest purposes, including encroachments and local development.
• The ruling provides legal clarity and strengthens forest conservation efforts.
• It ensures that such lands are now protected under the Forest (Conservation) Act, requiring environmental safeguards before any diversion.

(Source: IE)