Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 3rd August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
This report details the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s response to a Parliament question regarding forest conservation strategies as of August 3, 2026. It highlights the integration of community-led management, the implementation of various financial schemes for afforestation, and the regulatory frameworks governing forest land diversion. Key data from the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 indicates a rise in national forest cover to 25.17%.
Key Points / Main Content
Community Participation and Rights
Local communities are involved in forest protection, fire management, and restoration through Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Eco-Development Committees (EDCs).
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, empowers Gram Sabhas to manage and conserve community forest resources for sustainable use.
Government Schemes and Financial Support
Technical and financial support is provided to States/UTs via the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Nagar Van Yojana, and the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI).
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds are utilized for restoring degraded forest lands.
The 'Forest Fire Prevention and Management' scheme and the National Action Plan on Forest Fires, 2018, provide a framework for modern technology use and capacity building.
Regulatory Framework for Land Use
Mining and infrastructure proposals in forest areas undergo statutory appraisal under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Land diversion is examined on a case-to-case basis to minimize forest land requirements and prevent habitat fragmentation.
Forest Statistics and Wildlife Conservation
ISFR 2023 reports a forest and tree cover of 8,27,356.95 sq km, reflecting an increase of 1,445.81 sq km since 2021.
The network of Protected Areas has grown to 1,134, complemented by 58 Tiger Reserves, 33 Elephant Reserves, and identified ecological corridors.
Impact Analysis
State Governments and Union TerritoriesImpact
They receive significant technical and financial assistance from the Central Government to execute afforestation and fire management programs.
Action Required
Must constitute and oversee EDCs/JFMCs and implement centrally sponsored schemes like GIM and MISHTI within their jurisdictions.
Forest-Dwelling Communities and Gram SabhasImpact
These groups are legally recognized as stakeholders with vested rights to protect, regenerate, and manage forest resources.
Action Required
Active participation in participatory management committees and exercising statutory rights to ensure sustainable forest use.
Industrial and Infrastructure Project ProponentsImpact
Subject to rigorous case-by-case statutory appraisals and environmental impact assessments for any forest land diversion.
Action Required
Must provide site-specific ecological mitigation measures and demonstrate efforts to minimize forest land usage in their proposals.
Key Entities Referenced
Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980: The primary legislation regulating the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes and governing statutory environmental impact appraisals for mining.
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006: Legislation that recognizes the forest rights of dwelling communities and empowers Gram Sabhas to manage and conserve community forest resources.
Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: The legal framework for establishing protected areas, including National Parks and Sanctuaries, to conserve wild animals and their habitats.
National Mission for a Green India (GIM): A flagship scheme providing financial and technical support to increase forest and tree cover and restore degraded forest lands.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA): An institutional mechanism that provides funding for afforestation activities and the restoration of degraded forests.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Forest Conservation
Schemes
प्रव तथ: 03 AUG 2026 5:28PM by PIB Delhi
Forest-dependent communities are actively involved in forest conservation and sustainable forest
management through various programmes and institutional mechanisms. Emphasis is given on promoting
participatory forest management by involving local communities through Joint Forest Management
Committees (JFMCs) and Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) around Protected Areas constituted by
State Governments. These institutions participate in various activities for protection of forests including
preventing illegal felling, management of forest fires, afforestation activities, restoration of degraded
forests, and sustainable management of forest resources.
Further, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act,
2006 recognize and vest forest rights in eligible forest dwelling communities and empower Gram Sabhas
to protect, regenerate, conserve, and manage community forest resources for sustainable use, thereby
strengthening the role of local communities in forest conservation.
In order to increase the forest and tree cover and restore degraded forest lands the Ministry provides
technical and financial support to the States and Union Territories (UTs) under various schemes and
programmes such as National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Compensatory Afforestation Fund
Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Nagar Van Yojana, Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline
Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), etc.
In addition, the National Action Plan on Forest Fires, 2018 provides a comprehensive framework for
prevention, detection, control and management of forest fires through capacity building, use of modern
technology, community participation and strengthening of forest fire management systems. The Ministry
provides financial assistance to the States and Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme,
‘Forest Fire Prevention and Management’ for integrated management of forest fire.
The Government assesses the environmental and ecological impacts of mining proposals in forest areas
through the statutory appraisal processes prescribed under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan)
Adhiniyam, 1980, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and other
applicable laws and rules. Mining proposals in forest areas are examined on a case-to-case basis, taking
into account site-specific ecological features, likely impacts on wildlife and habitats, and the mitigation
measures proposed.
As per India State of Forest Report, (ISFR) 2023, the forest and tree cover of the country is 8,27,356.95
square kilometer which is 25.17% of the total geographical area of the country. The forest and tree cover
of the country has increased by 1445.81 square kilometer as compared to the last assessment of ISFR
2021. A network of protected areas namely, National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and
Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been notified all over the country under
the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, to conserve wild animals and their habitats. Thenumber of Protected Areas have increased to 1134. Further, there are 58 Tiger Reserves and 33 Elephant
Reserves. In addition, for maintaining the ecological connectivity, 32 tiger corridors and 150 Elephant
corridors have been identified.
The diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes, including infrastructure projects, is regulated under
the provisions of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 and the rules and guidelines
issued thereunder. Proposals involving diversion of forest land are examined on a case-to-case basis taking
into consideration forestry, wildlife and environmental perspectives. While considering such proposals,
emphasis is given to minimise the requirement of forest land and to avoid or reduce fragmentation of
forests.
This information was provided by MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT,
FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question
in Lok Sabha today.
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VM/GS/SK
(Lok Sabha US Q2333)
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