The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 has obtained the green light from a Parliamentary committee, signaling progress in proposing amendments to the existing Forest Conservation Act of 1980. The bill’s primary objective is to exempt specific forest lands from the legal protection provided under the current legislation. It is anticipated that the bill will be tabled during the forthcoming monsoon session of the Parliament.
One of the key changes brought about by the bill is the extension of the applicability of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 to certain types of land. This includes land designated as a forest either under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 or in government records subsequent to the enactment of the 1980 Act. Notably, land converted for non-forest purposes prior to December 12, 1996, will be exempted from the Act’s provisions.
The bill also introduces exemptions for specific categories of land, removing them from the Act’s purview. These include land located within 100 km of India’s border, which may be required for national security projects, as well as small roadside amenities and public roads leading to human settlements. Furthermore, the bill proposes an extension of the existing requirement for prior approval by the central government when assigning forest land to private entities. This requirement will now apply to all entities, with the terms of assignment determined by the central government.
In addition to these amendments, the bill expands the scope of permissible activities within forests. While the original Act allowed for activities such as establishing check posts, fencing, and bridges, the amendment bill also permits the operation of zoos, safaris, and eco-tourism facilities.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the bill’s potential impact on deforestation prevention efforts. The bill excludes two categories of land from the Act’s purview, which contradicts a 1996 Supreme Court judgment aimed at curbing deforestation. These categories include land recorded as forest before October 25, 1980, but not officially notified as such, as well as land converted from forest-use to non-forest-use prior to December 12, 1996. Moreover, the exemption of land near border areas for national security projects may have adverse effects on forest cover and wildlife in the north-eastern states. Similarly, the broad exemption for projects like zoos, eco-tourism facilities, and reconnaissance surveys raises concerns about potential negative impacts on forest land and wildlife.
Notable figures associated with the bill include Shri Bhupender Yadav, the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Shri Chandra Prakash Goyal, the Director General of Forests.