Key Highlights :
After Parliament passed the dangerous amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 last week, which many, including former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, had warned against, the Odisha government was quick to pass orders that 'deemed' forests would no longer be considered as forests. Taking a swipe at the Centre, Ramesh said that in its hurry to do away with 'deemed' forests, the Modi government has actually "doomed forests".
The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 was amended by the Modi government last week, allowing for diversion of forest land for non-forest activities. This move was met with strong criticism from environmentalists, conservationists, and Ramesh himself, who had warned against the changes. In response, the Odisha government issued an order on August 11, which told district officials that 'deemed' forests would cease to exist under the recently amended Act.
Deemed forests are forests that are not classified as such by the Centre or states in their records. These forests are usually located in the peripheries of existing forests and are important for wildlife conservation and biodiversity.
Ramesh took to social media to express his outrage over the Modi government's move. He said that in its haste to do away with 'deemed' forests, the government has actually "doomed forests". He further said that this move will lead to a huge loss to the environment and wildlife.
The Congress leader also pointed out that the Centre has now withdrawn the Odisha government's order, leading to further confusion. He said that the Modi government needs to take responsibility for its actions and ensure that the environment is not further damaged.
Ramesh's comments come at a time when the environment is already under immense pressure due to climate change and human activities. The amendment to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 is likely to cause further damage to forests and wildlife, making it even more important for the government to take action. It is essential for the Centre to ensure that the environment is protected and that forests are preserved for future generations.