Topic– Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation
5) The recent amendments to the Indian Forest Act, 1927 will create new markets & jobs for poor communities. Critically analyze.(250 words)
Why this question
The centre brought an ordinance to the Indian Forests act a few months back and has been contemplating about the need to revise the act holistically and bring in a substantive legislation to make the act relevant for the present social, economic and environmental situation in India. In this context it is essential to analyze the amendments made by the ordinance passed by the centre.
DIRECTIVE WORD
critically analyze- here we have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts, and present them as a whole in a summary. based on our discussion we have to form a concluding opinion on the issue.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to dig deep into the recent amendments made in Indian Forest Act,1927 and discuss how these amendments will help the environment and the people and also discuss the shortcomings/ pitfalls of the amendments. Based on our discussion we have to form a personal opinion on the issue.
Structure of the answer
Write a few introductory lines about the amendment made in Indian Forest Act 1927 E.g the Act seeks to consolidate the law relating to forests, the transit of forest produce and the duty that can be levied on timber and other forest produce.
- Discuss in points the amendments made in the IFA and how will they create employment and livelihoods and new markets for the poor. 1927 E.g
- The amendments include definitions of terms like forests, pollution, ecological services etc. as there was no definition of forest in any Indian law pertaining to forest or its governance. The legal definition of forests will have huge ramifications on the conservation of forests as well as the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
- After amending Section 2(7) of Indian Forest Act, 1927, bamboo is no longer a tree and felled bamboo too is not timber. So any bamboo grown in private or homestead land by millions of farmers does not require a felling permission or transit permission from any state forest department etc.
- Discuss the shortcomings of these amendments. E.g Some environmentalists have expressed fears that the amendment will degrade bamboo in forests and adversely impact the lives of millions of tribal communities who have rights over this resource under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 etc.
Conclusion – Based on your discussion form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.