FOREST CONSERVATION ACT 1980 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked Assam’s Chief Secretary to provide details of officers who let polling stations, schools, and other construction activities in a wildlife sanctuary and a reserve forest in gross violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

Forest Conservation Act 1980

• About: It was enacted on October 25, 1980, to regulate forest conservation and related matters.
• Objectives: To guarantee the preservation and upkeep of forests.

oTo manage the redirection of forest land for alternative purposes like mining and infrastructure advancement.

• Restriction: No State Government or authority can convert forest land for non-forest purposes without prior approval from the Central Government.
• Non-Forest Purposes: It include the use of land for activities like cultivating horticultural crops or any other purpose besides reafforestation.
• Appeals Process: Any person aggrieved by an order or decision of the State Government or other authority can appeal to the National Green Tribunal established under the NGT Act, 2010.
• Advisory Committee: The Central Government has the authority to constitute a Committee with members deemed fit to advise on matters concerning forest conservation.
• Power to Centre: The Central Government is empowered to create rules necessary for implementing the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act.

 National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• Background: The NGT was established by an Act of the Parliament i.e., National Green Tribunal, Act, 2010.
• Objective: NGT was established for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forestsand other natural resources.
• Principal Place of Sitting: New Delhi.
• The other four places: Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai.