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Source: The post is based on the article “Forest Conservation Bill: An encompassing green” published in The Indian express on 7th August 2023.
Syllabus Topic: Environment Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
News: In this article author discusses the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, passed by the Indian Parliament. The Bill, committed to sustainable development, seeks to integrate tribal people living in forests into mainstream development, enhance green cover, provide basic amenities to forest dwellers, and ensure secure borders by enabling infrastructure development in border areas.
Evolution of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023
The origin of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, traces back to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. This Act aimed to control the use of forest land for non-forest purposes.
However, issues arose when the Act’s provisions were interpreted differently across states, especially regarding government-recorded forest lands and private plantations.
The Supreme Court’s 1996 orders in the Godavarman case expanded the Act’s applicability. The court stated the Act applies not only to notified forest land but also to lands resembling forests.
Post Godavarman case, the Act started applying to areas even if they weren’t government-recorded forests. This led to fears among private plantation owners and slowed afforestation outside forests.
This uncertainty was a hindrance in enhancing green cover to meet the Nationally Determined Contribution targets, aiming to create a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tons of CO2 equivalent.
To address these issues, the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 was introduced, providing clear guidelines and removing the ambiguities, thereby streamlining the conservation and development of forest lands.
What are the benefits of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023?
Inclusive Development: The Bill helps tribal people, especially those in deep forests, join India’s development journey, enhancing their living conditions.
Enhancing Green Cover: As per the 2021 India State of Forest Report, forest cover is 21.71% of India’s area. The Bill encourages afforestation outside forests, contributing to further increase in cover.
Regulated Land Use: The Bill offers minor exemptions for forest land diversion, without giving blanket permission, ensuring all conservation concerns are addressed.
Border Security: It allows infrastructure development in border areas, facilitating swift deployment of forces, improving national security.
Education and Health Access: The Bill paves the way for tribal children and elderly people to access education and healthcare facilities.
Conservation Efforts: It promotes activities like ecotourism, increasing local communities’ commitment to conservation.
Climate Mitigation: By regulating forest management, the Bill contributes to mitigating the impact of climate change.
Boosting Livelihoods: It provides new livelihood sources to local communities, further connecting them with mainstream development.
What are the concerns of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023?
Read here: What are the concerns with the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill?
