Contradictions in conservation: India’s forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023

Sir, The recent approval of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, by the Indian Parliament has raised numerous concerns among environmentalists, scholars, and indigenous communities. Although the Bill claims to champion conservation in its introduction, it ironically opens the door to potential harm to India’s precious forests. The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, appears to have commendable objectives. Its introduction praises the immense importance of forests, highlighting their crucial role in sustaining ecological balance and safeguarding biodiversity for current and future generations. The Bill sets ambitious targets, like establishing a carbon sink capable of absorbing 2.5 to 3.0 billion tons of CO2 by 2030 and improving the lives of communities reliant on forests [1]. On initial inspection, the Bill seems to promise a brighter, greener future for India. carbon sink capable of absorbing 2.5 to 3.0 billion tons of CO2 by 2030 Yet, a closer examination of the Bill’s provisions paints a different picture. Although the introduction promotes conservation and sustainable growth, later sections complicate this vision. The Bill allows for the repurposing of forest lands for various non-forest activities, such as infrastructure projects, mining, and industry. This contradicts the core conservation values it initially advocates [1]. The Bill specifies forest lands as only those recognised under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and those documented as forests in government records after 25 October 1980. It also excludes forest lands of up to 0.10 hectares near rail lines or public roads meant for public facilities, as well as areas within 100 kilometres of international borders or key zones like the Line of Control or Line of Actual Control [1]. The Bill includes provisions to expedite strategic and security-centric projects vital to the nation, particularly in border regions and areas impacted by Left Wing Extremism. It grants the central government the discretion to repurpose forest lands for various uses, including zoos, safaris, eco-tourism sites, communication hubs, and check-posts, among other purposes they deem necessary. Furthermore, the Central Government has the right to guide any entity within the Central Government, State Government, or Union Territory Administration regarding the Act’s enforcement [1]. The Bill’s provisions pose a threat to our already diminishing forests. The government’s narrow definition of forest land in this Bill is alarming. By recognising only lands designated as forests under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and those listed as forests in government records after 25 October 1980, it overlooks a significant portion of unrecorded and community forests. This approach risks repurposing lands not labelled as ‘forest’ in official records, making them susceptible to depletion. This redefinition contradicts the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the case of T.N. Godavarman INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 2023, VOL. 80, NO. 5, 1212–1215 https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2023.2247929