Forest Conservation Schemes: Parliamentary Response on Community Participation and Initiatives
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provided a written reply in the Lok Sabha on August 3, 2026, detailing various forest conservation schemes and community participation mechanisms. This highlights the government's ongoing efforts to involve local communities and implement programs for sustainable forest management.
Background
India has a long history of participatory forest management, with Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) being key institutional mechanisms. The Forest Rights Act, 2006 further empowered forest-dwelling communities. Recent initiatives like the National Green India Mission and CAMPA aim to increase forest cover and restore degraded lands.
Key facts
Community participation in forest conservation is facilitated through Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) formed by state governments around protected areas.
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 grants forest rights to eligible communities and empowers Gram Sabhas to protect, regenerate, conserve, and manage community forest resources.
The Ministry provides technical and financial support to states/UTs under schemes like the National Green India Mission (GIM), Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Nagar Van Yojana, and MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes).
The National Action Plan on Forest Fires, 2018 provides a framework for prevention, detection, control, and management of forest fires, emphasizing capacity building, modern technology, and community participation.
Financial assistance for integrated forest fire management is provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Forest Fire Prevention and Management'.
Mining proposals in forest areas are assessed under the Forest (Conservation and Enhancement) Act 1980, Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, and other applicable laws, on a case-by-case basis.
As per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, the country's forest and tree cover is 8,27,356.95 sq km, which is 25.17% of the total geographical area, an increase of 1445.81 sq km compared to ISFR 2021.
There are 1134 protected areas, 58 tiger reserves, 33 elephant reserves, 32 tiger corridors, and 150 elephant corridors identified for ecological connectivity.
Use of forest land for non-forest purposes is regulated under the Forest (Conservation and Enhancement) Act, 1980, with emphasis on minimizing forest land requirement and preventing fragmentation.
The reply was given by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, in the Lok Sabha.
Prelims pointers
- Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs)
- Eco-Development Committees (EDCs)
- Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
- National Green India Mission (GIM)
- Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)
- Nagar Van Yojana
- MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes)
- National Action Plan on Forest Fires, 2018
- Forest (Conservation and Enhancement) Act, 1980
- India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of community participation in forest conservation in India, with reference to JFMCs, EDCs, and the Forest Rights Act.
- Critically examine the effectiveness of government schemes like GIM and CAMPA in increasing forest cover and restoring degraded lands.
- Analyze the challenges in balancing forest conservation with infrastructure development and mining activities, and suggest measures.
- Evaluate the significance of the National Action Plan on Forest Fires in mitigating forest fire risks.