The Supreme Court has ordered status quo to be maintained in the deemed forest area around Jilling Estate, Nainital, which was allegedly being destroyed for building a resort and villa township. The case pertains to a project by Devanya Resorts Pvt. Ltd to construct over 50 ultra-modern villas and cottages, a heated swimming pool, a hospitality zone and a helipad in the forests of Kumaon at 6000 ft.

Jilling Estate is popular among wildlife enthusiasts, who have documented the presence of leopards and the endangered cheer and Koklass pheasants. Oak trees were also allegedly destroyed to carry out road work in 2017. The intervention came in a petition filed by Delhi-based Birendra Singh, an estate-owner in the affected area, after the NGT set aside his plea.