Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
7) The Indian Forest Act, 1927 (IFA), is proposed to be amended. Can we conclude that the forest sector in India is waking up to the much-needed reforms? Critically analyse. (250 words)
Why this question:
The question is to discuss the recent forest reforms that are being brought to the table. And evaluate if the reforms are in the right direction.
Key demand of the question:
Evaluate the current forestry reforms being taken by the government and critically analyse if they are able to meet the intent.
Directive:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyze, you 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin with brief introduction on details of the Indian Forest Act.
Body:
Discussion should include the following:
Take cues from the article and discuss how IFA was a tool for a colonial takeover of India’s forests. The IFA created two main legal categories of forests—reserved forest (RF) and protected forest (PF)—and empowered the forest departments (FDs) to take over, manage and protect them. It was implicitly for timber and softwood production.
Then move on to discuss what are the issues of continuing the same system? What are we failing in?
Explain the relevance and coming of Forest Rights Act of 2006.
What are the current concerns associated to it?
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the need for better reforms and need for the right direction.
