Kodaikanal Forest Contractors Welfare Association v. The Principal Chief Conservator Of Forest

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :26.03.2026

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P(MD)No.7783 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD)Nos.6363 and 6365 of 2026 Kodaikanal Forest Contractors Welfare Association, represented by its Secretary, Mr.Syed Rahamathullah, Ruby cottage, Ananthapuri 6th Cross, Kodaikanal Taluk, ... Petitioner/Petitioner .Vs.

1.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Velachery, Chennai.

2.The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corp Ltd., 30,Gandhi Mandapam Road, Kotturpuram, Chennai.

3.The District Collector, Office of the District Collectorate, 1/6

4.The Conservator of Forest, 5.The District Forest Officer @ Wild Life Warden, Kodaikanal Forest Division, Kodaikanal, ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the E-Auction notification issued by the fifth respondent in his proceedings in Na.Ka.No.8113/2024/L, dated 15.12.2025 and quash the same as illegal and consequently to direct the respondents to undertake the exercise of harvesting , removing and other ancillary works of removal of Alien Invasive Plants at the Forest of Kodaikanal, Dindigul District by the department itself and conduct auction only for the removed wood logs.

For Petitioner : Ms.H.Jasima Yasmin for M/s.Ajmal Associates For Respondents : Mr.S.Kameswaran Government Advocate

O R D E R

The petitioner challenges Conditions 8(3), 11(b), 11(d), and 6 in the e-auction notice dated 15.12.2025.

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2. The e-auction notice was issued for cutting and removal of wood from protected areas. The writ petition was filed on 18.03.2026, whereas the auctions were scheduled on 05.01.2026, 06.01.2026, 07.01.2026, and 08.01.2026 for different ranges. In respect of the Berijam Range, the auction was conducted on 07.01.2026 and the bids were finalized. In respect of the other ranges, as there were no bidders, the auction was postponed.

3. The petitioner had submitted a representation dated 06.03.2026 to the fifth respondent seeking modification of the impugned conditions. As on date, the e-auction notice has spent its force by efflux of time and, therefore, nothing survives for adjudication insofar as the challenge to the impugned conditions is concerned. However, the representation submitted by the petitioner requires consideration by the fifth respondent. The grounds raised in the writ petition are left open.

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4. In view of the above, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the fifth respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.03.2026 on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

26.03.2026 NCS : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No vsn 4/6

To 1.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Velachery, Chennai.

2.The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corp Ltd., 30,Gandhi Mandapam Road, Kotturpuram, Chennai.

3.The District Collector, Office of the District Collectorate, 4.The Conservator of Forest, 5.The District Forest Officer @ Wild Life Warden, Kodaikanal Forest Division, Kodaikanal, 5/6

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR.,J.

vsn ORDER MADE IN W.P(MD)No.7783 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD)Nos.6363 and 6365 of 2026 26.03.2026 6/6