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Polity & Governance
Mahesh

23/07/23 17:16 PM IST

Forest Conservation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023

In News
  • The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill of 2023 is scheduled for introduction in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.
Major Provisions
  • The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 was enacted with the primary objective of conserving forests by restricting de-reservation of forest and forest land for non-forest purposes.
  • It mandated that any de-reservation of forest and forest land must have the prior approval of the central government under the advice of an advisory committee.
  • One of the changes proposed in the Forest Conservation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, expected to be tabled in the monsoon session of the Parliament, is to change the name of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
  • The 2023 Amendment aims to introduce exemptions to forest clearance in the guise of facilitating social, economic, and environmental needs.
  • These exemptions include forest lands situated alongside railways or public roads maintained by the government, projects of national importance related to national security, construction of defense-related infrastructure, and public utility projects.
  • Additionally, the amendment allows forest land to be used for non-forest activities such as wireless communications, fencing, bridges, culverts, and various other facilities.
Concerns
  • The amendment seems to contradict the original intent of the 1980 Act, which was designed to prevent de-reservation of forest land and large-scale deforestation.
  • The exemptions granted by the 2023 Amendment might infringe upon the rights of forest dwelling communities protected under the 2006 Act, potentially weakening the latter’s purpose.
  • The exemptions are provided without the consent or clearance of the authorities involved in the resolution process, as required by the 2006 Act.
  • The 2023 Amendment raises concerns about the lack of clarity in its objectives and the potential consequences of clearing forest land for non-forest uses.
  • It fails to address compensatory afforestation and the creation of new forest and tree cover after clearing natural forest land.
  • Additionally, the amendment does not mention how it aims to provide livelihoods for forest-dependent communities or how it aligns with the 2006 Act, which was specifically enacted to protect the rights of forest dwelling scheduled tribes and other forest communities.
Source- The Hindu

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