DECREE AMENDED

The Supreme Court of India recently modified its order passed on December 12, banning all non-forest activities in reserved areas. The court formed a high-level committee to oversee the implementation of its orders in the northeastern states. The committee will monitor the preparation of an inventory of timber in all forms available in forests, transit depots and mill premises. Any sale of the inventoried timber through state forest corporations will be supervised by the committee. The apex court also clarified that its orders do not relate to minor forest produce like bamboo.