The recent Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 deals a telling blow to Goa, a State that till now has been basking about its rich forest cover. The Act, notified earlier this month, is draconian from Goa's perspective because it threatens to wipe out half of the State's forest cover by opening gateways to rampant development in previously inaccessible areas. Moreover, the amendments come at a time when the State government has been making a high pitch for the protection and conservation of forests.
Now, here is what the amended Act will do. It grants exemptions to railways, roads, oil exploration, wildlife tourism, defence and strategic projects in forests. It empowers the State governments to lease forest land to private individuals and corporations and restrict the scope of conservation to certain forest lands. The two positives are that it enables the creation of 'no-go' areas where specific projects may not be allowed and seeks a time-bound forest identification plan.
The amendments mean land acquired by the railways for establishing a rail line (in Goa's case, double track) and the controversial highway widening are now entitled to have their way. Also, leases on forest land no longer need the central government's approval, and the State government is empowered to issue leases for the use of forest land without the prior approval of the Centre.
The dilution of restrictions on forest land use opens up new vistas for developers and real estate giants eyeing forest areas. For a small state State like Goa, the amendments could be catastrophic. A 2021 report from the Forest Survey of India stated that of the total 3,702 sq km area, Goa's forest cover is around 2,244.21 sq km, almost 60.62 per cent of the total geographical area. The State has a notified private forest of 45 sq km.
Goa may have hit the tourism map with its sea, sand and surf culture, but the forests and the lush greenery have given the State a unique contrast. The 60.62 per cent forest cover makes Goa one of the greenest States in the country. This very greenery prompted the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, to call it a "priceless natural asset" while giving a clarion call for preserving the ecological heritage.
The entire focus will now be on private forests and whether the government can stop their exploitation under the cover of the amendments. Since the private forest owners have the leeway to use the area for developmental activities, Goa could see a paradigm shift that will be more of a death knell to the greenery that the State is currently hosting.
Furthermore, the tourism narrative of the State is drifting towards the hinterland, with the government exploring options of shifting focus to eco-tourism, leveraging the State's green with forest parks and other projects.
While the turf is threatened, much will depend on how the State government moves. Can it stall the juggernaut of the development lobby from usurping our forests? If yes, how? Because the amendments have given private entities a licence to go for the kill. The real test of forest conservation comes here.
