Forest bill provisions belie govt’s claim

The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill and its Implications

The passage of the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill by the Lok Sabha last week has raised concerns about the potential harm it may cause to forests, despite its stated objective of protection. This article examines the conceptual and practical implications of the bill, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Background

The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 (FCA), aimed to safeguard all lands classified as forests in government records. However, a Supreme Court ruling in 1996 expanded the scope of the law to include all lands that met the dictionary definition of a forest. This broadened definition allowed for the protection of many wooded areas that were not officially classified as forests. The recent amendment reverts to the original definition, potentially removing legal protection from large tracts of land. According to the Forest Survey of India’s data, approximately 28% of forests may no longer fall under the purview of the law.

1. The SDGs emphasize the importance of protecting and sustainably managing forests (Goal 15: Life on Land).
2. The amendment may undermine efforts to achieve SDG 15 by reducing the legal protection of forests.

Compensatory afforestation is proposed as a substitute for lost forests. However, the effectiveness of afforestation in practice is questionable, and it can sometimes have unintended negative consequences.

Implications for Ecologically Sensitive Areas

The bill also exempts forest land within 100 km of an international border, Line of Control, or Line of Actual Control from the requirement of prior clearance. This exemption applies to projects involving the construction of roads, railway lines, or strategic infrastructure. The ecologically sensitive North-East region will be significantly affected by these exemptions. Additionally, areas affected by left-wing extremism will also be exempted. While national security is important, a blanket exemption from regulatory mechanisms for construction activities may be misused.

• The SDGs emphasize the need to protect and restore ecosystems in fragile regions (Goal 15: Life on Land).
• The bill’s exemptions may lead to deforestation and commercial exploitation of these areas, undermining SDG 15.

Considering the ecological fragility of border areas and the mineral-rich nature of Maoist-affected regions, it is crucial to engage in deliberations and consultations before undertaking projects in these areas.

Concerns and Opposition

The bill was referred to a joint select committee after its introduction in the Lok Sabha. While the committee did not propose any changes, six Opposition members dissented and called for environmental audits and consultations with state governments regarding the use of forest land in ecologically sensitive areas. Last week, 400 ecologists, scientists, and naturalists wrote a letter to the government and MPs expressing concerns that the legislation would accelerate the decline of the country’s natural forests.

1. The SDGs emphasize the need for inclusive decision-making processes and stakeholder engagement (Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
2. The bill’s passage without discussion in parliament raises concerns about the lack of transparency and consultation, undermining SDG 16.

The bill claims that it will contribute to increasing forest cover, but its provisions contradict this assertion. Given the importance of preserving and protecting forests, especially in the context of climate change, it is essential to carefully consider the potential impacts of legislation on the achievement of the SDGs.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
   • Indicator: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • Indicator: Proportion of positions filled through elections in national legislature.

Analysis

The article highlights the passage of the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill by the Lok Sabha and raises concerns about its potential negative impact on forests. Based on the content of the article, the following analysis can be made:

1. SDGs Addressed

The issues discussed in the article are connected to two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 15: Life on Land – The article raises concerns about the potential harm to forests due to the amendment bill and the proposed compensatory afforestation. This aligns with SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article mentions the lack of discussion and dissenting voices during the passage of the bill, indicating a potential lack of inclusive and participatory decision-making. This relates to SDG 16, which emphasizes the importance of responsive and inclusive institutions.

2. Specific Targets

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 15.2: The article highlights concerns about the potential loss of forest areas due to the amendment bill. This target aims to promote sustainable forest management, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
• Target 16.7: The article mentions the lack of discussion and dissent during the passage of the bill, indicating a potential lack of inclusive decision-making. This target aims to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

3. Indicators

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators related to the identified targets. However, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator: Forest area as a proportion of total land area – This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 15.2, which focuses on sustainable forest management and increasing forest cover.
• Indicator: Proportion of positions filled through elections in national legislature – This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 16.7, which emphasizes inclusive and participatory decision-making.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: deccanherald.com

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