Forest Conservation Rules, 2022:
NCST had recommended to the Union Environment and Forest Ministry to put the new Forest Conservation Rules, 2022, on hold.
Forest conservation rules,2022 :
- The rules were issued by the Environment Ministry in June this year under the Forest Conservation Act.
- The Forest Conservation Rules deal with the implementation of the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980.
- They prescribe the procedure to be followed for forest land to be diverted for non-forestry uses such as road construction, highway development, railway lines, and mining.
Changes made in the forest rules:
- Rules make a provision for private parties to cultivate plantations and sell them as land to companies who need to meet compensatory forestation targets.
- No mention of tribals and forest-dwelling communities whose land would be hived off for developmental work.
- No consent of Gram Sabha is needed: the projects once approved by the FACwill then be passed on to the State authorities who will collect the compensatory fund and land, and process it for final approval.
- Previously consent of gram sabha, or the governing body in villages in the area, was required to give written consent to the diversion of the forest.
- It has defined forest land.
- No approval is needed for Strategic Projects: e.g. strategic and security projects of national importance
- Allows building in Forests.
