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    Forest Conservation Act

    The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 – Brief Summary

    Basic Information

         ● Act Number: 15 of 2023
         ● Date of Assent: August 4, 2023
         ● Purpose: Amends the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

    Key Objectives (New Preamble)

         ● Support India’s Net Zero Emission target by 2070
         ● Maintain and enhance forest carbon stocks
         ● Create additional 2.5-3.0 billion tons CO₂ equivalent carbon sink by 2030
         ● Increase forest and tree cover to one-third of India’s land area
         ● Enhance forest-based economic, social and environmental benefits
         ● Improve livelihoods for forest-dependent communities

    Name Change

         ● Original name: “Forest (Conservation) Act”
         ● New name: “Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam

    Land Coverage (New Section 1A)

    Lands Covered Under the Act:
         1. Land declared/notified as forest under Indian Forest Act, 1927 or other laws
         2. Land recorded as forest in Government records on/after October 25, 1980

    Lands Exempted from the Act:
         1. Infrastructure Access: Forest land alongside rail lines/public roads for habitation access (up to 0.10 hectare)
         2. Tree Plantations: Trees/plantations on non-forest lands
         3. Strategic/Security Projects:
         ○ Land within 100 km of international borders for strategic linear projects
         ○ Up to 10 hectares for security infrastructure
         ○ Up to 5 hectares for defense projects/paramilitary camps in Left Wing Extremism areas

    Enhanced Provisions

    Non-Forest Purpose Definition (Amended Section 2)

    New Exemptions Added: Activities that don’t require forest clearance include:
         ○ Silvicultural operations and regeneration
         ○ Forest staff infrastructure and check-posts
         ○ Fire lines, wireless communications
         ○ Fencing, boundary marks, bridges, check dams
         ○ Government-owned zoos and safaris
         ○ Eco-tourism facilities in approved plans

    Survey Activities
         ● Central Government can specify conditions under which surveys (reconnaissance, prospecting, seismic surveys) won’t be treated as non-forest purposes

    Administrative Powers (New Section 3C)

         ● Central Government empowered to issue directions to all authorities (Central, State, Union Territory, recognized organizations) for Act implementation

    Implementation

         ● Effective Date: To be notified by Central Government
         ● All exemptions subject to compensatory tree planting conditions

    Click here to download Forest(Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 (Size: 188 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)