The committee directed the State government to explore the possibility of locating the proposed project on suitable non-forest land before pursuing forest clearance. REC panel rejects Uttarakhand HC relocation, urging non-forest site options and stronger justification before forest clearance. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Uttarakhand government over the grabbing of forest land, observing that the state government and its authorities were sitting like "mute.