Mint Explainer: Key forest, biodiversity bills in Lok Sabha

livemint.com:

New Delhi: Despite frequent disruptions, the union government has lined up 31 bills to be passed in the monsoon session, including two key ones that deal with forests and biodiversity. While the Lok Sabha passed the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2023 with a voice vote on Tuesday; environment minister Bhupendra Yadav is scheduled to move the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, which amends the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in the Lok Sabha today. Mint takes a closer look at these two key pieces of legislation.

The law, enacted to conserve India’s forests, requires entities to seek the prior permission of the union government for dereservation of forest land and for the use of forest land for other purposes. The government’s permission is also needed to lease forest land to private entities. According to the government, new environmental challenges and policy priorities warrant amendments to the law.

When the bill was introduced in Lok Sabha earlier this year, Yadav said that these priorities included achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Also, given the region’s security matrix, there is a need to fast-track strategic and security-related projects to ensure development of vital infrastructure, especially along international borders and areas affected by leftwing extremism. Similarly, small establishments and habitations along public roads and railway lines also need to be given access and connectivity to main arterial roads and other public utilities.