Forest land can't be leased or used for agriculture without Centre's nod: SC, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court upheld that forest land cannot be leased or used for agriculture without prior central government approval.
• The ruling came in response to a case involving the Karnataka government and the Gandhi Jeevan Co-operative Society Limited.
• The court set aside a Karnataka High Court order that had allowed the co-operative society to seek continuation of its lease.
• The case involved 134 acres 6 guntas of forest land in Dharwad district.

Detailed Insights:

• The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, prohibits the use of forest land for non-forestry purposes, including agriculture, without central approval.
• The Supreme Court emphasized its previous directives against de-reservation of forests, highlighting the need to protect forest areas.
• Granting permission for cultivation requires clearing forests, violating Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
• The court deemed the initial lease to the co-operative society illegal, as it led to deforestation and devastation of a large forest area.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: Legislation that regulates the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes.
• De-reservation of forests: The process of removing the protected status of a forest area, allowing it to be used for other purposes.
• Non-forestry purposes: Activities other than forest management and conservation, such as agriculture, industry, and infrastructure development.