Approval process made flexible
Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Amendment Rules 2025: The Amendment Rules 2025 extend the validity of in-principle approval (Stage-I) from 2 years to 5 years. This gives project authorities more time to complete compliance. Offline applications are permitted in cases of defense, national importance, and emergencies.
Clear structure of approvals
The rules define Stage-I as in-principle approval and Stage-II as final approval. This helps streamline the decision-making process and reduces ambiguity in forest land diversion cases.
Compensatory afforestation reforms
The amendment introduces a land banking system to speed up compensatory afforestation. It also permits states to use existing central scheme afforestation programs to meet compensatory requirements. States can transfer diverted forest land directly to their Forest Departments after Stage-I approval.
Static GK fact: The concept of compensatory afforestation was institutionalized after the Supreme Court judgment in the T.N. Godavarman vs Union of India (1996) case.
Focus on critical minerals
The rules recognize the importance of critical mineral mining for strategic needs. The minimum land use period for such projects has been reduced from 20 years to 10 years, enabling faster exploitation of resources while maintaining ecological safeguards.
Static GK fact: India has identified 30 critical minerals including lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, essential for renewable energy and defense technologies.
Stronger enforcement powers
The amendment expands the authority of forest officers. They can now initiate legal proceedings directly, strengthening accountability. Enhanced monitoring and reporting systems have also been introduced to track compliance effectively.
Evolution of forest protection laws
Before 1980, forests were under the State List, leading to large-scale diversion of forest land for agriculture, industry, and mining. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) shifted forests to the Concurrent List, giving the Centre authority.
The Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 centralized approvals to prevent reckless deforestation. The 1988 amendment regulated leasing of forest land to private players. Later, the 2023 amendment sought a balance between development and ecological protection, aligning with climate commitments.
Static GK Tip: India has about 21.7% of its geographical area under forest cover, as per the India State of Forest Report 2021.
Way forward
The 2025 rules reflect India’s attempt to strike a balance between economic growth, resource security, and forest conservation. By extending approval timelines, reforming compensatory afforestation, and empowering enforcement, the government aims to integrate sustainability with national development goals.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Amendment Rules 2025:
| Topic | Detail |
| Year of original Act | 1980 |
| Approval validity extended | 2 years to 5 years |
| Stage-I approval | In-principle approval |
| Stage-II approval | Final approval |
| Compensatory afforestation reform | Land banking system introduced |
| Critical mineral land use | Minimum reduced from 20 to 10 years |
| Enforcement | Forest officers can initiate legal action |
| Forests shifted to Concurrent List | 42nd Amendment, 1976 |
| Major earlier amendment | 1988, restricted leasing to private entities |
| Forest cover in India | 21.7% of total area (ISFR 2021) |
