Forest Conservation Laws
Forest & Wildlife · वन संरक्षण कानून
📋Quick Overview
India's forest governance is regulated by three major laws: Indian Forest Act 1927 (colonial era classification), Forest Conservation Act 1980 (preventing diversion of forest land), and Forest Rights Act 2006 (rights of tribal forest dwellers). India's total forest cover is 21.71% of geographic area per FSI 2021 report. The target is 33% as per National Forest Policy 1988.
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Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA): Full name = Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. It grants tribal communities both individual (4 hectares max) and community rights over forest land they have been occupying for generations. Gramm Sabhas empower local forest management.
📖Three Key Forest Laws — Comparison
| Law | Year | Key Provision | Forest Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Forest Act | 1927 | Classifies forests as Reserved, Protected, Village forests; gives govt control over forests | Reserved (most protection), Protected (less), Village |
| Forest Conservation Act | 1980 | No diversion of forest land for non-forest use without Central Govt approval; Forest Advisory Committee | All forest lands (government-recorded) |
| Forest Rights Act | 2006 | Recognises rights of STs+OFDs over forest land; individual + community rights; Gram Sabha as nodal body | Community Forest Resource (CFR) areas |
📖India's Forest Cover — Key Data
| Category | Area (million sq km) | % of Geographic Area |
|---|---|---|
| Very Dense Forest | 0.099 | 3.02% |
| Moderately Dense Forest | 0.308 | 9.38% |
| Open Forest | 0.307 | 9.34% |
| Total Forest Cover | 0.713 | 21.71% |
| Total Forest + Tree Cover | 0.809 | 24.62% |
- •FSI (Forest Survey of India): HQ Dehradun; publishes biennial State of Forest Report (SFR); uses satellite imagery; last SFR 2021
- •CAMPA: Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority; compensatory afforestation when forest land diverted; states must plant trees elsewhere
- •Van Mahotsav: Annual tree planting festival started by K.M. Munshi (Union Agriculture Minister) in July 1950; now observed every year in July