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Environment Ministry Clarifies Forest Act Amendments Don't Open Forests to Privatization

The Environment Ministry has clarified that recent amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act do not open existing forests to private exploitation. The changes are designed solely to encourage private investment in greening degraded forest land, which lacks standing trees. The ministry states that all existing safeguards, including compensatory afforestation and central government approval for land diversion, remain fully intact. This clarification comes in response to allegations from the Congress party that the amendments would lead to the privatization of forest management.

Key Points: Forest Act Amendments: No Privatization of Standing Forests, Says Govt

  • Amendments protect standing forests
  • Private investment only for degraded land
  • Compensatory afforestation rules unchanged
  • Central govt approval still required for diversion
2 min read

FCA amendments safeguard standing forests, no opening for private exploitation: Environment Ministry

Environment Ministry clarifies recent Forest Act amendments protect existing forests, only allow private investment in degraded land for afforestation.

"The amendments do not dilute the requirement of compensatory afforestation... which continue unchanged. - Environment Ministry sources"

New Delhi, January 8

The amendments made to the Forest Act do not open up existing forests for private exploitation, sources at the environment ministry said, clarifying that the changes are aimed solely at encouraging greening of degraded forest land through private investment.

This clarification follows Congress's allegation that amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act have opened the door to the privatisation of forest management.

"The amendments do not dilute the requirement of compensatory afforestation or payment of net present value for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes, which continue unchanged," the sources said.

"What has been introduced is a provision limited to degraded forest land--open or scrub land with no standing forest--to encourage private investment in afforestation. Since no existing forest is being diverted and private entities are investing their own resources to create green cover, the requirement of compensatory afforestation and NPV does not arise in such cases. Any diversion of forest land will still require prior approval of the central government," the sources added.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh alleged the move will lead to the leasing of forest land to private entities and have a long-term impact on India's forest management.

As per the circular, the amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act facilitated natural regeneration, including afforestation and plantation, for purposes mutually agreed upon by the States/Union Territories and government and non-government entities.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
I want to believe the ministry, but history makes me skeptical. 🧐 Any policy involving private players and natural resources needs iron-clad safeguards. We've seen what happens in mining areas. The central approval requirement must be transparent and not just a rubber stamp.
R
Rohit P
Good step! So much barren land in states like Rajasthan and parts of MP can become green. Private companies have the funds and tech for large-scale afforestation. As long as it's truly degraded land and not forest land, it's a positive move for the environment. 👍
J
James A
Interesting model. The devil will be in the definition of "degraded forest land." Who decides what qualifies? Local communities dependent on these lands for grazing must be consulted. Afforestation shouldn't mean only commercial plantations that don't support biodiversity.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, the opposition's concern is valid. The amendment was "bulldozed" as they said. Such significant changes require wider public and expert debate. Forest governance is too critical for haste. We need more than ministry sources; we need an independent audit mechanism.
M
Meera T
The principle is sound. But will these private entities plant native species or fast-growing eucalyptus for quick returns? The circular mentions "mutually agreed" purposes - that sounds vague. The agreement must prioritize ecological restoration, not corporate profit.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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