Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh on Sunday engaged in war of words on Twitter on provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022. Mr. Ramesh, a former Union Environment Minister, alleged that the latest version of rules, updated last month, allowed forest land to be diverted to industry without settling questions of the rights of forest dwellers and tribals who resided on those lands.
The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, along with a 2009 government order, makes it mandatory to seek “free, prior and informed consent” of families who would be affected by such diversion of forest land, Mr. Ramesh stated, referencing a report by web portal Newslaundry, that highlighted this issue on Saturday.
A detailed statement from the Congress’ Twitter handle added that the new rules “destroyed the very purpose of the FRA” as once a forest clearance was granted (in this case by a Centre-constituted Forest Advisory Committee), no claims by forest dwellers and tribals would be recognised and settled. “The State governments will be under even greater pressure from the Centre to accelerate the process of diversion of forest land.”
