Forest Conservation Act

ABHIJT MITRA, SUFIA ZAMAN, NABONITA PAL

Forest Conservation Act, 1980 is very important because we know that the forest is a vital natural resource and it gives wide-spread products, which are useful for our life. So protection and Conservation of forest is a necessary fact, which ensure judicious use of forest products.

“Forest” means a land or a community composed predominantly of shrubs, trees and woody climbers.

“Forest-Offence” is a well-known term that means an offence which is punishable according to this Act.

“Forest-Officer” means a person, appointed by State Govt., who carries out the duties and objectives under this Act.

Forest Conservation Act was recognized by parliament in the thirty first year after the Republic of India came into force on the 25th October, 1980. The State Government may declare that any tree in a protected forest is reserved under Section 30 and the cutting up and clearing of the tree for cultivation, for buildings or hearting cattle is strictly prohibited. According to this Act any person who commits any types of offence, the penalty in terms of imprisonment of six months or more, five hundred rupees or more as a fine from him or both will be imposed. According to the Act:

  1. If any reserved tree in any protected forest is damaged by cattle the act should be deemed as an offence.
  2. Imprisonment of six months or a fine or five thousand rupees or both would be imposed if a person kills or catches elephants in any forest.
  3. Destroying of Clearing of a forest for cultivation, quarrying any stone, burning lime or charcoal or collecting or removing any forest products are strictly prohibited.

The State Government made rules for regulating the management and duties for protection and improvement of village forests and the rules are published by notification in the official gazette.

An authority or any organization requires taking the following measures as necessities:

  1. To get aware or know about the Environment pollution and its hazard to study, plan and implement long-term requirement of environmental safety.
  2. To review the legislation of the forest Act.
  3. To co-ordinate with the activities regarding environment safety and preservation of forest of other agencies.