
Greenlight for destruction: Controversial forest Act opens door to unfettered deforestation
The contentious Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 (FCAA), became operational on December 1, 2023, amidst widespread criticism from citizens, scientists, non-profits, andeven legislators. Undeterred by the protests, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has started implementing the act now, allowing State governments to clear forest diversions that were deemed illegal under the…