On Wednesday, the Opposition left the house in protest over the government’s silence on Manipur’s escalating violence. Seizing the moment, the ruling party passed three important bills in the Rajya Sabha, including the controversial Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2024, which had already been hurriedly approved in the Lok Sabha through a voice vote without any debate.
The alterations made to the Forest Act are expected to have a negative effect on our green cover, potentially hindering our efforts to combat climate change in the long run. Preserving forests plays a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and regulating the Earth’s climate. By jeopardizing our forest resources through these changes, we may face significant challenges in mitigating the effects of global warming and safeguarding the environment for future generations. Therefore, it becomes essential to carefully consider the implications of these amendments and seek sustainable solutions that promote forest conservation and environmental well-being.
The new bill was hastily pushed through without proper scrutiny. In March, when the amendments were introduced, they should have been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. However, it seems that due to Jairam Ramesh’s environmental advocacy as a Congressman, who led the Standing Committee, the bill was sent to a special Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) instead.
Source: Business Today
Despite receiving more than 1,000 representations, the JPC made no changes to the bill. Six out of the 31 JPC members even expressed their dissent by writing opposing notes. Additionally, objections were raised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Regrettably, all these concerns were disregarded, and the Lok Sabha rapidly passed the bill within a mere 20 minutes.
The changes made to the Forest Act must be understood in the context of the alarming decline of our green cover. India has lost a significant 668,400 hectares of forests between 2015 and 2020, the second-highest deforestation rate globally, just after Brazil. This degradation is a consequence of the pursuit of ‘development’, resulting in the clearance of 88,903 hectares of forest land for non-forestry purposes such as infrastructure projects, mining, and irrigation.
Image Source: Outlook India
Indiscriminate deforestation poses a serious threat to our efforts to combat climate change. Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas contributing to rising temperatures. Yet, our actions are disrupting the delicate balance of nature as we degrade natural ecosystems. In the face of global climate challenges, the idea of ‘development’ loses its significance when there might be no planet or people left to benefit from it.
In the specific context of India, there is a desire to exploit pristine forests, currently protected by tribal and forest conservation laws. Approximately 80 million hectares of forests, comprising about 24% of India’s geographical area, have been safeguarded to prevent profit-driven attempts to access valuable mineral deposits beneath the surface. The Constitution’s Fifth Schedule further protects tribal enclaves by prohibiting the transfer of land to non-tribals.
Various conflicts, like the one involving Vedanta Resources and the Dongaria Kondha tribes in Odhisa or the Meitei-Kuki clash in Manipur, arise from the greed to access forested hill areas abundant in valuable minerals. These areas are presently inhabited by tribal communities, shielded from outsiders and other interest groups.
An analysis of the revised Forest Conservation Act reveals its significant implications for “forest conservation.” Primarily, it redefines the term “forest,” restricting protection solely to areas officially “notified” as forests under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. This results in the removal of protection previously extended to areas listed in the government’s revenue records or those satisfying the botanical definition of a “forest,” i.e., regions characterized by substantial tree cover.
Numerous ecologically sensitive areas, such as the Niyamgiri Hills, which do not fall under the “notified” forest category, may now face the risk of losing their protection against exploitation by mining companies, owing to the amended legislation.
Additionally, the revised bill provides exemptions for “linear” infrastructure projects, including roads and highways, from seeking central government clearance if they are situated within 100 km of the national border. Similarly, land acquisition and development for security purposes in dense forest regions can occur without the need for official clearance.
To compound matters, the amended bill grants permission for non-forest activities like tourism and zoos, previously met with resistance due to their potential for human encroachment and subsequent degradation of forest ecosystems.
Environmental scientists have projected that approximately 200,000 sq km of forests may lose their protection once the amended bill is implemented. The gravity of the situation prompted over 400 ecologists to address the Ministry of Environment, underscoring that these amendments represent not just minor changes but an entirely new legislative framework.
Unfortunately, it appears that these concerns are not being adequately addressed.
Perhaps, only through the mobilization of a robust grassroots movement can a shift in our trajectory be achieved.
