In the wilderness

Forest Bill defeats purpose of the law

The government’s enthusiasm for development has diluted environmental laws in the interests of industrial and infrastructure projects. Between 2020 and 2022, it introduced a variety of changes to the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986, providing major relaxations and exemptions, such as decriminalising offences under the EPA with fines that some analysts say are too low to act as a deterrent. Last week, the Lok Sabha passed the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, which makes significant changes to the original law. Indications of the trend were evident in 2022, when the government relaxed the rules concerning compensatory afforestation. The amendment Bill was