What is a forest? This seemingly mundane question lies at the heart of the controversy around the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. There are two main concerns. The first is around the legal definition of forests. Moving away from an earlier, more liberal interpretation, the bill lays down strict […]
Tag Archives: forest
11
Jul
Jul
Among the most important bills likely to be tabled in Parliament in the upcoming monsoon session is the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023. And if the developments in the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) scrutinising the draft legislation are any clue, then it is likely to be contentious as well. This newspaper reported that the panel […]
24
May
May
In a country roiled by the climate crisis, one would think that every forest, protected or otherwise, is precious as a stabilising force that regulates ecosystems, protects biodiversity, supports livelihoods, and supplies goods and services that could drive sustainable growth. But this view, it seems, is at odds with the ones held by some policymakers. […]