Relevance : GS Paper II
Why has this issue been Raised?
The draft Indian Forest Act, 2019 needs improvement.
Classification of Forests
- 3% – very dense
- 11%- moderately dense
- 11%- open
The Draft Forest Bill
- reinforces bureaucratic control of forests
- provides immunity for actions by personnel
- emphasizes on accused detention
- penalises entire communities for offences by individuals.
Impact of the Draft bill on the Poor
- invariably affects poor inhabitants
- runs counter to the empowering goals of FRA
Way forward for a Forest Law
- stop diversion for non-forest uses
- recognize all suitable landscapes as forests
- prohibit commercial exploitation of forests
- partnership with communities and scientists
- independent scientific evaluation of forest health
- public scrutiny of decisions on diversion of forests
- proper impact assessment reports
- should be adopted by all States
Conclusion
A new law should encourage community-led, scientifically validated conservation.
