Felling of trees – The judicial trends

Abstract

The Forest Conservation Act of 1980 was enacted with the intention of eradicating deforestation, which eventually leads to severe ecological imbalance; therefore, no matter who owns them or how they are classified, all forests must be subject to the provisions of the Act for the conservation of forests and matters related to them. The word “forest” must be understood according to its dictionary meaning. This definition applies to all forests recognised under the law, regardless of whether they are designated as reserved protected for the purpose of Section 2(i) of the Forest Conservation Act. The term “forest land”, occurring in Section 2, will not only include “forest” as understood in the dictionary sense, but also any area, irrespective of ownership, that is designated as a forest in government records. For it to be applied in accordance with Section 2 of the Act, it must be interpreted in this manner. Irrespective of who owns the forest or how it is classified, all of the provisions made under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 for the conservation of forests and items related thereto must be clearly applicable. Deforestation contributes to ecological imbalance and the degradation of the environment.