Salient Features of Forest Conservation Act

The Forest Conservation Act of 1980 is a key legislation in India aimed at regulating the diversion of forest lands for non-forest purposes. It was enacted to prevent the rapid deforestation occurring due to industrial, agricultural, and infrastructural development. Here are the salient features of the Forest Conservation Act:

1. Regulation of Forest Land Diversion:

• The Act mandates that forest land can only be diverted for non-forest purposes (such as industrial projects, agriculture, etc.) with prior approval from the Central Government.

2. Centralized Decision-Making:

• The Act centralizes the decision-making process regarding the diversion of forest land. This prevents the arbitrary use of forest lands by state governments or private entities, ensuring a uniform approach across the country.

3. Compensatory Afforestation:

• If forest land is diverted for non-forest use, the Act requires compensatory afforestation. This means that an equivalent area of non-forest land or degraded forest land must be afforested as a compensatory measure.

4. Restriction on De-reservation of Forests:

• The Act restricts the power of state governments to de-reserve forests or convert them to non-forest use without the approval of the Central Government.

5. Penalties for Violations:

• The Act includes provisions for penalties against violations, such as unauthorized diversion of forest land. This includes imprisonment and fines to deter illegal deforestation activities.

6. Protection of Forests:

• The Act aims to protect and conserve existing forests, ensuring that the ecological balance is maintained and preventing environmental degradation.

7. Empowerment of the Central Government:

• The Central Government is empowered to constitute advisory committees to ensure proper implementation of the Act. These committees assist in the evaluation of proposals for forest land diversion and other related matters.

8. Environmental Impact Assessment:

• The Act often requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for projects that propose the diversion of forest land. This helps in assessing the potential impact on the environment and biodiversity.

9. Promoting Sustainable Development:

• While the Act restricts deforestation, it also allows for development activities, provided they meet certain environmental safeguards and are deemed essential for the public interest.

10. Monitoring and Reporting:

• The Act establishes mechanisms for monitoring the use of forest land that has been diverted and ensures that the conditions stipulated during the approval process are followed.

This Act has played a crucial role in balancing the need of development with the need to conserve forests in India.