Forest Conservation Act 1980

Forest conservation ACT 1980 Forest Conservation Act launched 1980, which was amended in 1988. The Indian Forest Act of 1927consolidated all the previous laws regarding forests that were passed before the 1920s. The act gave the government and Forest Department the power to create Reserved Forest, and the right to use of resources by local people was controlled. It gives priority to maintaining environmental stability and ecological balance. It expressly states that the network of Protected Areas should be strengthened and extended. The forest conservation act of 1980 was enacted to control deforestation. It ensured that forestlands could not be de-reserved without prior approval of the Central government. The forest conservation Act of 1980, which was amended in 1988 it, is essential to understand its historical background. The Indian forest Act of 1927 consolidated all the previous laws regarding forests that were passed before the 1920s. The Act gave the government and Forest Department the power to create Reserved Forests, & the power to create reserved forests, & the right to use Reserved Forests for the government use alone. The Act remained in force fill the 1980s when it was realized that the protecting forests for timber production alone was not acceptable. India’s, these states had regularized encroachments and resettled ‘project Affected people’ from development projects such as dams in these de-reserved areas.

Objectives 1.

Forest dwellers must have access to subsidized sources of fuel, fodder, building material etc so that they do not cut trees. 2. Modify working plans into environmentally sound action plans based on scientific research. 1. Protection of standing Forests. 2. Creation of new stock 3. Building up of information base. Measures 1. Aquatint yourself with the laws, detailed rules and orders issued by the government. 2. Create awareness about the existence & value of national parts & sanctuaries. 3. Help to create public pressure to change rules, laws & procedures when necessary. 4. Do not litter in a forest area. 5. Participate in preservation of greenery, by planting watering & caring for plants. Penalties For offences in reserved forested: no person is allowed to make clearings or set fire to reserved forest. Cattle are not permitted to trespass into the reserved forest. Felling, collecting of timber, bark or leaves, quarrying, or collecting any forest product is punishable with imprisonment for a term of six months, or which may extend to Rs.500 or both. Penalties for offences in protected forests: a person who commits any of the following offences like felling trees, stripping the bark or leaves of trees, setting fire to such forests, kindling a fire without taking precaution to prevent its spreading, dragging timber, or permitting cattle to damage any tree, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with a fine which may exceed to Rs. 500, or both.

Forest conservation and judicial attitude In India, the judiciary has shown deep concern for the forest conservation. The judiciary has not only played a pivotal role in a manner to interpret the forest laws to protect the forest and environment but it also has Shown judicial activism by entertaining public interest litigations under articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court and High Courts while protecting environment and promoting sustainable development have delivered many important judgments. R.L. & E. Kendra, Dehradun v. State of U.P, AIR 1985 S.C. 652 (popularly known as Doon Valley Case) TN. Godavarman Thimmulpad v. Union of India, (1997) 2 SCC 267 (popularly known as Forest Conservation case)

What can an individual do to support the act?        

Acquaint yourself with the laws, detailed rules and orders issued by the government. Be in touch with concerned local NGOs and associations. Organize one with other like-minded people if none exist in your area. Create awareness about the existence and value of national parks and sanctuaries and build up a public opinion against illegal activities in the forest or disturbance to wildlife. Pressurize the authorities to implement the forest and wild life laws and rules to protect green areas. Take legal action if necessary and if possible through a public interest litigation (PIL) against the offending party. Use the help of NGOs who can undertake legal action. Help to create public pressure to change rules, laws and procedures when necessary. Use better, ecologically sensitive public transport and bicycle tracks, do not litter in a forest area. Participate in preservation of greenery, by planting, watering caring for plants.