Q. Consider the following statements:
1.Environment Protection Act, 1986 governs the approval process for non-forestry activities in wildlife sanctuaries in India.
2.Any non-forestry activity on forest land requires approval from the Central government.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Explanation –
Statement 1 is incorrect. The approval process for any non-forestry activities on forest land, including in wildlife sanctuaries, is governed by the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. This act mandates that any conversion of forest land to non-forest purposes requires prior approval from the Central Government. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 ensures that any such activities are regulated to prevent deforestation and to protect forest ecosystems. The Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) is the statutory authority who exercises complete administrative control over Protected Areas within a state.
Statement 2 is correct. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, mandates that any non-forestry activity on forest land requires prior approval from the Central Government.
Source: The Hindu
