Unclassed Forests, State Expert Committee (SEC) Reports

Context

• The Supreme Court ordered the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to upload State Expert Committee (SEC) reports on unclassed forests.
• This order came in response to a petition challenged against the Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA) 2023.

What are Unclassed Forests?

• Unclassed forests, also known as deemed forests, are areas that have forest-like characteristics but are not officially notified as forest land under the Indian Forest Act or any state legislation.
• It includes government owned (revenue, railways etc.), community forests, and privately owned forests that are not officially notified.
• Impact of Lack of Protection for Unclassed Forests:
  • The Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA) 2023 could remove legal protection from unclassed forests.
  • Without proper identification and demarcation of these forests, they are vulnerable to destruction despite existing legal protections (like the T.N. Godavarman Thirumalpad judgement of 1996).

Concerns Associated with The Reports

• Extent of Unclassed Forests: Only 9 states have provided information on the extent of unclassed forests.
  • Most states and Union Territories have only disclosed the extent of various forest types that are under government ownership—whether managed by forest or revenue departments or other governmental bodies.
• Lack of Geographic Details: There is a notable absence of detailed geographic locations for unclassed forests in the reports.
  • The information provided predominantly pertains to reserve or protected forests, which is redundant as it is already accessible from Forest Departments.
• Inconsistencies in Reporting: The SEC reports cast doubt on the accuracy of data from the Forest Survey of India, the sole government agency responsible for forest surveys.
  • Example: In Gujarat, where the SEC report listed unclassed forests as covering 192.24 square kilometres, contrasting sharply with the 4,577 square kilometres reported by the Survey between 1995 and 1999.
• Potential Forest Loss: The absence of on-ground verification by the SECs likely contributed to significant forest destruction. Without baseline data from 1996-1997, the exact amount of unclassed forest loss remains unknown.
  • Example: In Kerala, the SEC overlooked the Pallivasal unreserve, a crucial ecologically sensitive area in Munnar.
    • Notably, this region suffered severe damage during the 2018 floods, highlighting the consequences of inadequate forest management and protection measures.

Conclusion

• There is a need for rigorous re-evaluation and protection measures for unclassed forests.
• The MoEFCC’s lack of diligence and the hastily prepared, incomplete SEC reports compromise the spirit of the Godavarman judgement and the objectives of national forest policy.
• Additionally there is a need for accountable actions by the national government to protect these vital ecological areas effectively.

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