Supreme Court’s Mandate on Forest Identification and Protection

Current Affairs National

Posted by newadmin on 2025-03-06 08:57:32 |

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The Supreme Court of India has recently mandated that Chief Secretaries of States and Administrators of Union Territories must establish expert committees to identify forests within their jurisdictions. This order builds upon a legal precedent set in 1996, which defined forests in a broad sense, including various types of forest lands. By reinforcing this mandate, the court underscores the need for proper forest management and conservation across the country.

The legal framework for forest conservation in India dates back to the enactment of the Forest Act in 1980. A landmark judgment by the Supreme Court in December 1996 expanded the definition of "forest" to include all areas that qualify as forests, regardless of ownership or classification. This broad interpretation was designed to maintain ecological balance and strengthen conservation efforts nationwide.

In recent months, the Supreme Court has reiterated its commitment to forest conservation, emphasizing the necessity for States to comply with the 1996 ruling. Through its orders in November 2023 and February 2024, the court stressed the urgency of implementing conservation measures. In March 2025, it further reinforced this directive by warning that officials failing to act could be held personally liable.

The formation of expert committees is a crucial step in this process. These committees are tasked with identifying all forested areas, including degraded and cleared lands. They will also assess plantation areas under both government and private ownership. This identification process is vital for the effective implementation of conservation strategies and ensuring that critical forested regions receive necessary legal protection.

Amendments to the Forest Act in 2023 have sparked debate among environmentalists, who argue that the revised definitions may exclude certain forested areas from legal protection. Critics warn that such exclusions could disrupt ecological stability and undermine conservation efforts, a concern brought to the Supreme Court’s attention by petitioners.

To strengthen conservation planning, the Supreme Court has mandated that States and Union Territories submit consolidated records of their forest lands. Maintaining accurate records is essential for tracking forest cover, assessing ecological changes, and ensuring adherence to conservation laws. The identification process is expected to be completed within a specified timeline, after which the reports will be submitted to the Union government and presented before the Supreme Court. This process aims to enhance accountability and ensure that forest management practices align with legal mandates.

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