×

UPSC Courses

IAS Foundation 2022

Optional Classes

Current Affairs

Test Series

Others Links

UPSC Prelims Classes 2021

Crash Course

Regular Modules 2022

Prelims

Mains Classes 2021

Mains & Interview

Test Series

Mains Material

Test Series

Mains

Optional

Free Study Material

DNA banner

DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

  • 13 July, 2022

  • 8 Min Read

DECRIMINALISATION OF INDIAN FOREST ACT 1927

DECRIMINALISATION OF INDIAN FOREST ACT 1927

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed a public notice for decriminalization of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

Key points

Ministry is undertaking a review of the act to decriminalize minor sections of the law which include:

  • Carrying timber into the forest,
  • Trespassing by cattle,
  • Felling a tree,
  • Felling or damaging a tree reserved under a special provision of the law,
  • Kindling a fire or carrying fire in forest areas.

Amendment proposed

  • It focuses on decriminalization if a relatively minor violation of the law takes place.
  • Fast resolution through the compounding of relatively smaller offences.
  • Reducing compliance burden on the citizens.
  • Rationalisation of penalties and preventing harassment of citizens.
  • Ministry seek to replace the provision of imprisonment for six months and a fine of Rs 500.
  • Section 30 and 26 of the Indian Forest Act,1927 are to be amended
    • Section 30: Fall any tree or drag any timber so as to damage any tree reserved or permit cattle to damage any such tree under section 30 shall be punishable with a fine that may be extended to Rs 500.

The clause of imprisonment up to six months for these offences has been removed

  • The penalties will be collected under the Environment Relief Fund and only in the case of non-payment of penalty will the violator be prosecuted.

Power of the Central Government

  • The Center does not have any power or jurisprudence to carry out amendments in the Act, as it does not fall under the Central Government as the act was enacted before the parliament has been established.
  • The Act is adopted by the states as they feel fit, only Haryana, Punjab, Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar follow the act. Other states have their own forest act which they follow.

Significance

  • It will help to ease the difficulties faced in differentiating between major and minor offences.
  • It will also deter habitual offenders from committing more crimes, as at present there is the same level of punishment for both first-time and repeat offenders.

Criticism

  • It might go on incentivizing offence, especially that of felling trees which is extremely dangerous.
  • It does not clarify and promotes ambiguity whether the Rs 500 fine is the cost of feeling one tree or it is an entire forest can be felled.
  • A move by the Centre is an infringement on the right of the states.

Indian forest act 1927

  • It set a legal framework for the protection and management of forests, transit of forest produces and timber and duty that can be levied on forest products and timber.
  • Indian forest act is the umbrella act which provides the basic architecture for the management of forests in the country.
  • The act also includes a mechanism to ensure notification of reserved, protected and village forests, protection of forest resources, forest biodiversity and wildlife of the country.

Source: The Indian Express

INADEQUATE MUNICIPAL FINANCES
ASSAM FLOOD: EXPLAINED
india premier ias institute

India and Bangladesh Relations

India and Bangladesh Relations News: The 4th India-Bangladesh Annual Defence Dialogue, which was recently held in Delhi, decided to intensify the cooperation between the two-armed forces. Highlights Military training The discussions focused on the current bilateral training and exercises, and it was decided to make them more challeng

india premier ias institute

Digital Currency

Digital Currency Over 7% of India's population possessed digital currency in 2021, according to a recent report by the United Nations Trade and Development Body (UNCTAD). Additionally, India was rated eighth in terms of population ownership of digital currencies among the top 20 economies worldwide. HIGHLIGHT When it comes to

india premier ias institute

Booster Dose: Corbevax

Booster Dose: Corbevax According to a recent announcement from the Indian government, persons who have already taken Covishield or Covaxin as their first or second dosage of Covid-19 may take Corbevax as their third booster shot. Corbevax is still seeking the Emergency Use Listing (EUL)from the World Health Organization Up until this poin

india premier ias institute

Mid-day Meal Scheme

Mid-day Meal Scheme There is recent proof that children who receive eggs as part of midday meals have a considerable boost in their growth, according to a study commissioned by the Karnataka government. About the recent study            While the request to include additional dist

india premier ias institute

Declining Mangrove Cover: NASA STUDY

Declining Mangrove Cover NASA recently brought attention to the disappearance of mangroves on Katchal Island, which is a part of India's Nicobar archipelago. Findings Of NASA Mangrove loss: The study revealed how much of the world's mangroves have disappeared during the last two decades. On August 8, 2022, the NASA Earth

DNA

13 Aug,2022

Toppers

Search By Date

Top Editorials
UPSC Courses

Saarthi Mentorship Programme

Foundation Batches

Module wise Prelims Batches

Mains Batches

Test Series

Post Feed

Important Tags

Newsletter Subscription
SMS Alerts

Copyright© Aspire IAS Academy. All rights reserved. Powered by CLT Technologies & Edu-Publishers Private Limited.