Forests up for grabs?

The amended Forest Conservation Act opens up large swathes of forestland for different non-forest activities

Aarey back to square one: Green lobby readies to take on Shinde government

Ex-CM Fadnavis, who was adamant on building Metro project at forest site, now deputy CM in Cabinet that overturned Uddhav’s protection to …

Villagers oppose declaring ‘orans’ as deemed forests, fearing loss of access and livelihood

Legal experts say declaring sacred groves as deemed forest will not hinder community rights

Supreme Court modifies order on construction ban within one kilometre of protected areas

Lifting the ban may disturb and prove detrimental for wildlife, says lawyer  

Stop all hydroelectric projects in Himalayan region to avoid a Joshimath repeat: Experts

Ecological assessment pending for hydropower project plans in Himachal

Constitutional violations in amended Forest (Conservation and Augmentation) Act, say experts

‘Centre absolving itself from its constitutional responsibility of protecting the environment by enacting the law’

Right of forest inhabitants for claims against eviction not limited to Adivasi, backward communities: Supreme Court

Forest communities do not only consist of people from recognised Adivasi and other backward communities, but also other groups residing in the …

Empowered local governance key for forest restoration and management, finds study

Tree planting drives alone cannot help address climate crisis and biodiversity loss, it highlights

Warming temperatures can mean mass leaf deaths in tropical forests

Some percentage of leaves from tropical forests are already exposed to such temperatures that prevent their normal functioning  

Rajya Sabha passes Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill amid confusion, concerns

Rights to recognise forest land and register it to lie with the state government, clarifies environment minister

Activists allege thousands of trees felled in Hasdeo for coal mining

The activity has already displaced elephants and impacting threatened biodiversity

Over 100 Odisha Gram Sabhas exercise forest rights, cut out middlemen to sell kendu leaves directly

Move helping villagers get better prices, ensuring on gap in collection of leaves from all areas and helping underprivileged tribes

डाउन टू अर्थ खास: क्या अपने जंगलों की पहचान की चुनौतियों से जूझ रहा है भारत?

सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने 1996 में फैसला दिया था कि कोई भी क्षेत्र जो शब्दकोष के मुताबिक जंगल की परिभाषा पर खरा उतरता हो, उसे ...

Odisha announces state forest rights scheme to benefit over 7 lakh households

‘Mo Jungle Jami Yojana’ is aimed to effectively implement Forest Rights Act, 2006 in the state

Controversial Bill to amend Forest Conservation Act passed by Lok Sabha

Union environment minister refutes all concerns, calls amendments ‘progressive’

EIA 2020 to give straight clearances for 239 dams

Some 900 hectares of forest will be submerged with the dams, claim experts  

Experts irked over revised structure of Central Empowered Committee

New notification gives unprecedented powers to central government  

Political representation of STs can lead to improved forest cover — study establishes link

Enhanced representation of ST communities helps them oppose mining and other large-scale commercial projects

New CFR guidelines: Experts say regulations can undo India’s progress on forest governance

Rules show governmental unwillingness to embrace tribal diversity and culture, they say   

CAG flags MoEFCC projects costing Rs 4.47 crore for procedural lapses

Two projects failed to take-off due to lack of monitoring and non-signing of agreements between parties

Centre’s response on GM mustard proves regulatory violations, claim activists

Environment ministry releases response to Coalition of GM-free India’s allegations over environmental approval to GM crop

वन संरक्षण अधिनियम में संशोधन से शुद्ध शून्य उत्सर्जन के लक्ष्य को हासिल करने में मिलेगी मदद: सरकार

केंद्र सरकार का लक्ष्य वन संरक्षण अधिनियम में बदलाव करके शुद्ध शून्य उत्सर्जन के लक्ष्य को हासिल करना है

Hubballi-Ankola railway line will augur desertification, water crisis, warn experts

The proposed 164-kilometre railway project cutting through Western Ghats will prompt deforestation and accelerate climate change …

Scientists write to PM against ICAR ‘gag order’ on GM mustard

Health and safety of crops draw concern from scientific community

Activists object to food safety draft issued by FSSAI for GM crops; demand amendments

FSSAI notification lacks tests for potential toxicity, allergenicity and checking for long-term effects