India, Feb. 20 -- Apex court was hearing a PIL challenging constitutionality of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023

The states and Union territories (UT) must act according to the definition of 'forest' as laid down in the landmark TN Godavarman Thirumalpad v. Union of India judgement issued in 1996, the Supreme Court said in an interim order issued on February 19, 2024.

The apex court was hearing a public interest litigation challenging the constitutionality of the Forest (Conservation) Act. The Act was amended by the Union government in 2023.

The bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising of Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, passed the order stating that the Godavarman judgement be enacted until...