The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 (Bill No. 80 of 2023) was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 29, 2023. The Bill amends the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 which provides for the conservation of forest land. The Act of 1980 is a self-contained law for preventing the diversion of forest land for non–forest purpose. The present amendment has issues of concern, which needs to be addressed.
