New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said that for the courts, the government is the sole litigant. Hence, it should come before the court with an integrated or holistic stand after consulting all its concerned departments.

A bench headed by Justice BR Gavai on Monday said that there is a dispute over a notification of May, 1965 in the Forest and Revenue Department in the Mizoram government. The Supreme Court also took cognizance of the fact that the Aizawl Bench of the Gauhati High Court has filed its petition in January, 2021 in connection with the notification of May 19, 1965 of the Gazette of Assam.

15 other rivers declared as protected forests

The Chief Executive Officer of the Mizo District Council had passed an order declaring half a mile of forest on one side of the Turial river and 15 other rivers as the council's reserved forest, which is not sustainable under the law.

Permission sought to file a new petition

The court said that the government has sought permission to withdraw the appeal filed in a bench of the first high court and also to file a fresh petition if required. The Supreme Court also took cognizance of the affidavits of various government parties including the Mizoram government, National Highways and NHIDCL.