PANAJI
Amidst opposition across the country, the Central government notified the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act 2023 that seeks to restrict the conservation scope of the Act to only certain forest lands while it also allows some non-forest activities on forest lands like running zoos and eco-tourism facilities.
The amendments, which have come into force from August 14, have caused concern among environmental activists as well as former forest officials who say that the new Sections dilute the mandate of forest protection and conservation. According to them, of the total 60.62 per cent forest cover, only 50 to 60 per cent of it is government forest, which means a large portion of the forest cover will be available for exploitation.
The amendments also exempt border lands from the obligation to seek permissions to clear forests in order to construct “strategic linear projects of national importance”.
The Amendment Bill 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha in March. Thereafter, it was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) comprising 32 members from both Houses of Parliament and across party lines, who endorsed the amendments in June. In July, the Bill was passed by the Parliament while on August 14, the Union Ministry for Law and Justice issued notification.
Renowned environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar said that the amendments will open legal and official grounds for the government to facilitate developmental activities at the cost of environment, forest and wildlife. “In Goa we have seen people fighting to protect forest and wildlife, which has been destroyed rampantly. But the latest amendment will hamper forest and wildlife habitat along with the environment and ecology by large, with official government blessings.
Kerkar said that draconian amendments are introduced to misuse the Act in the interest of lobbies, who in the name of development are out to destroy the country and its green cover.
A senior forest official pointed out that the Section 2 of the Amendment states that the Central government may exempt clearance for ‘any other purposes, which the Central Government may, by order, specify.’ “What does this mean? This means opening the door to a whole host of ancillary activities on forest land that will no longer require clearances,” official said.
According to the official, the amendment opens up all land that hasn’t been officially classified as ‘forests’ to commercial activity. “In Goa, we have a large portion of forest cover, which is not officially classified as government forest land,” officials said.
Former Deputy Conservator of Forest Milind Karkhanis questioned the government 's motive behind the amendments. “We don't know what the motive of the government behind the amendments is. As the government has taken a decision on their wisdom, rationality and effects, the results of the decision will be seen later,” he said.
