Odisha removes 'deemed forests' as per new law

NEW DELHI: The Odisha government has directed all district collectors to ensure that diversion of forest land for infrastructure projects, particularly state development projects, should follow provisions of the new law, days after Parliament passed the Forest Conservation Amendment Act, 2023, in the monsoon session

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{ AMENDED FOREST LAW }

"The concept of deemed forest is now removed," stated the letter sent to district collectors on August 11. HT has seen a copy.

All forest land diverted for nonforest purposes by any authority before December 12, 1996, will not attract the provisions of the new law, it added. Any survey or exploration will also not be treated as a non-forestry activity.

"You are, therefore, requested to see that forest diversion proposals pertaining to your districts, especially for the government developmental projects, are formulated and submitted as per provisions of the amended act immediately," the letter sent by additional chief secretary Satyabrata Sahu said.

The draft legislation received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu on August 4, the law ministry said on Saturday. The law will come into effect once the central government notifies it in the gazette. The Rajya Sabha passed it on August 2 after it was cleared by the Lok Sabha on July 26.

One of the contentious provisions of the new law is that it exempts unrecorded "deemed forests" from the Act.