The Forest (Conservation) Act, of 1980 is an important environmental legislation in India that aims to regulate and conserve forest land by controlling diversion for non-forest purposes. It was enacted in response to growing concerns about deforestation and environmental degradation due to the conversion of forest land for developmental projects. The primary objective of the Forest (Conservation) Act is to ensure the judicious utilization of forest resources while maintaining ecological balance. Here are the key features of the Forest (Conservation) Act:
- Diversion of Forest Land:
- The act requires prior approval from the central government for the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes like mining, industry, infrastructure, etc.
- Diversion can only take place if the project is deemed essential, cannot be located elsewhere, and has been thoroughly assessed for its environmental impact.
- Central Government’s Authority:
- The act vests the authority to grant permission for the diversion of forest land in the central government, with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) responsible for granting approvals.
- State Governments’ Role:
- The state governments play a role in the process by forwarding diversion proposals to the central government.
- They also ensure that compensatory afforestation and other environmental safeguards are adhered to.
- Compensatory Afforestation:
- One of the key provisions of the act is the requirement for compensatory afforestation, where the user agency undertaking the project must undertake afforestation over equivalent non-forest land.
- Compensatory afforestation aims to mitigate the loss of forest cover due to the diversion.
- Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks:
- The act places restrictions on activities that may adversely affect wildlife sanctuaries and national parks unless approved by the central government.
- Public Accountability:
- The act includes provisions for public participation in the process, where affected individuals and communities can provide inputs and raise concerns during the approval process.
- Punitive Measures:
- The act includes penalties for violations, including fines and imprisonment for unauthorized use or occupation of forest land.
- Amendments and Revisions:
- The Forest (Conservation) Act has undergone amendments over time to address emerging environmental concerns and align with changing policies.
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable forest management, protecting wildlife habitats, and ensuring the responsible use of forest resources for development while balancing environmental concerns.
