Question : CHANGE IN THE DEFINITION OF FOREST .

(a) whether the Government is planning to effect change in the definition of forests to withdraw legal cover for any man made plantations or green zones notified after 1980 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether as per the new rules, no approval under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) will be required for clearing green areas that came up after 1980 or forests on private land; and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether cutting down trees planted along highway, railway line and other projects will also not require prior approval from the Centre and State Governments; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) & (b) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in consultation with the States and Union territories formulated draft parameters for classification of an area as “forest” for the purpose of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. These parameters are being referred to the Learned Attorney General for India for examination and vetting. The draft parameters, after incorporating appropriate amendments, if any, as may be suggested by the Learned Attorney General for India, will be placed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for their approval.

(c) & (d) These is no proposal to exempt the road side plantations which have been notified as Protected Forest from the requirement of obtaining prior approval of Central Government under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for non-forest use of such areas, including for widening of existing highways.