On August 2, 2023, The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 was passed by the Rajya Sabha after a brief debate on concerns and questions on the Bill by members of the Parliament. The Lok Sabha had already cleared it a week ago within 15 minutes after it was tabled. The Bill will now be known as Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, which translates to Forest (Conservation and Augmentation) Act.
So, What does the Bill propose?
To put it broadly, the Forest Amendment Bill seeks to limit the conservation scope of the Act to only certain forest lands. By doing this, the government effectively exempts border lands from seeking permissions to clear forests in order to construct “strategic linear projects of national importance”. Finally, it also allows nonforest activities on forest lands, like running zoos and ‘ecotourism’ facilities. Experts have raised concerns as terms like “strategic linear projects of national importance” is vague and undefined and can thus be misused to promote infrastructure projects that will impact the local ecology. Especially in the northeastern states of India. While introducing the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav argued that it was necessary to provide access to important arterial highways, and minor establishments along public roadways and railway lines. The bill also provides necessary provisions to protect biodiversity and expand forest cover.
However, several state governments and civil societies have expressed their concerns about the bill. They argue that the bill effectively opens up all land that hasn’t been officially classified as ‘forests’ to commercial activity. And by bypassing the necessary clearances and permissions, they are bifurcating the checks and balances the Act currently includes. Experts have also expressed concerns over how the act will impact the tribal community whose lives depend on forest and forest resources. On the other hand, the government is hoping for a significant increase in forest cover by promoting compensatory afforestation and agroforestry. This will help India in achieving its international commitment and also inch towards the stated objective of putting onethird of its area under forest cover.