Environment & Ecology
Forest Conservation
Welcome to the comprehensive UPSC study hub on Forest Conservation, a pivotal topic within the Environment & Ecology segment of your General Studies preparation. Forest Conservation, at its core, is
32 articles in this topic
Articles on Forest Conservation
Forest Survey of India stops its AI-based fortnightly alerts to states on deforestation
Source: Indian Express (Page1) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment)
Understanding Forest Rights Act Cells: A Comprehensive Analysis for UPSC Mains Preparation
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the Forest Rights Act Cells, their objectives, functions, and the implications for forest-dwelling communities in India, particularly in light of the recent DAJGUA scheme.
India’s Agroforestry Ambitions & Financing and Policy Hurdles
Context Recently, the experts highlighted that India’s agroforestry continues to face serious challenges, especially in access to finance, policy implementation, and farmer awareness, during the first South Asian Agroforestry Trees Outside Forests (AF-TOF) Congress. South Asian Agroforestry Trees Outside Forests (AF-TOF) Congress It is referred to as the ‘Treescapes’ 2026 Congress. It marked the first regional platform dedicated to advancing agroforestry and Trees Outside Forests (TOF) across So
India’s Paper Industry Push for Easing Forest Rules
Context The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified amendments to the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 2023, formerly the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Background According to 2023 guidelines forest land leased for commercial purposes attracted: Net Present Value (NPV) payments: A one-time charge reflecting the economic value of ecosystem services lost due to diversion of forest land. Compensatory Afforestation (CA) obligations: Mandatory afforesta
Aravalli Ecosystem: Supreme Court's Impact on Definition
Published on: 26th December, 2025 The recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India, which redefined the Aravalli Hills by adopting an arbitrary ‘100-metre local relief’ criterion, prioritizes administrative convenience over ecological and scientific coherence, marking a decisive rupture in India’s environmental jurisprudence.</p
Supreme Court Clarifies Aravalli Boundaries, Regulates Mining
Context The Supreme Court, in a recent order, settled on a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, and paused the grant of fresh mining leases across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Significance of the Aravalli Range The Aravalli Range, stretching over approximately 692 kilometres (430 miles) in a northeastern direction, traverses the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana before culminating in Delhi, is the oldest mountain range in India. Rajasthan accounts for ne
Protected Marine Areas Not Part of Offshore Blocks
In News The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) informed Parliament that offshore mining blocks were identified only after excluding all Marine Protected Areas and key biodiversity zones. Background The Centre’s plan to auction 13 offshore mining blocks — including sand off Kerala, lime mud off Gujarat, and polymetallic nodules near Great Nicobar — sparked protests in Kerala, where fishing communities and the state assembly opposed the move, citing threats to marine life and livelihoods. The gover
SC Accepted the recommendations on the Definition of Aravalli Hills
Context The Supreme Court accepted the recommendations of a Union Environment Ministry panel on the definition of Aravalli Hills to restrict mining. Background For decades, the Aravalli hills have been under severe pressure from mining, both legal and illegal, and other development activities such as construction. Last year, the SC had asked the government to come up with an uniform definition of the Aravalli.
Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)
Context Recently, the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) was launched on the sidelines of the COP30 Climate Summit in Belém, Brazil. About Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) Overview: It is an investment fund designed as a permanent, self-financing vehicle through which net returns aim to be awarded to up to 74 developing tropical forest countries for keeping their existing old-growth forests intact. Rationale: It aims to recognise and encourage Tropical Forest Countries to continue p
Uniform Penalty For Violations of Van Adhiniyam, 1980
In News The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Union Environment Ministry has recommended standardising penal provisions under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, particularly concerning violations involving forest land diversion without prior central approval. What is Van Adhiniyam, 1980? It was originally enacted as the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and it was renamed Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 under legislative updates.
Relocation of Forest-dwelling Communities
In News The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has issued a policy mandating that relocation of forest-dwelling communities from tiger reserves must be “exceptional, voluntary, and evidence-based. Background India’s tiger conservation strategy is moving from exclusionary “fortress conservation” to a rights-based, community-centred model. Historically, the creation of tiger reserves often displaced forest-dwelling communities, but the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) now mandates that relocatio
India Moves up to 9th Position Globally in Forest Area
Context India has moved up to the 9th position in terms of total forest area globally, as per the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali. Key Findings Globally, forests cover 4.14 billion hectares, accounting for about 32% of total land area, translating to 0.5 hectares of forest per person. Russia has the largest forest cover followed by Brazil, Canada, the USA, China, Congo, Australia, Indonesia, India and Peru.
Fisheries Sector to Get Sustainability Label
Context About 10 Indian marine and saline fish and shrimp varieties are set to get the global Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification soon. The first batch is set to be submitted for the certification in 2026. About The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit organisation that sets globally recognised, science-based standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability.
Forestry Optional for UPSC and State PCS Forest Exams 2025
Introduction to Forestry Optional When it comes to choosing an optional subject for UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) or various State Public Service Commission (PSC) exams, aspirants carefully...
Exemptions for Mineral Exploration Drilling on Forest Land
Context The Union Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has approved enhanced exemptions for mineral exploration drilling in forest areas. Background In 2023, the Forest Conservation Act 1980, was amended to provide exemptions for exploratory drilling on forest land. The latest decision expands these exemptions to facilitate mineral and coal exploration, critical for India’s energy and resource security.
UNDP Report on FRA Implementation (2025)
In News The UNDP report “Securing Rights, Enabling Futures – Policy Lessons from FRA and Future Pathways” reviewed nearly 20 years of Forest Rights Act (FRA) implementation. About Forest Rights Act The Forest Rights Act, 2006 (Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act) is landmark legislation recognizing and vesting rights over forest land and resources for forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFDs). Under
Global Shift Towards Younger Forests
Context A recent study highlights a global shift towards younger forests, disrupting the carbon balance as older, carbon-rich forests decline. Importance of Forest Age Young Forests grow rapidly and can absorb up to 20 times more CO₂ than older forests, especially less than 20 years old. However, they store much less carbon compared to old-growth forests.
Global Wetland Outlook for 2025
Context Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has released the Global Wetland Outlook for 2025. About Global Wetland Outlook for 2025 It offers the most current global evaluation of the condition, trends, value and policy responses concerning wetlands. Produced by: The Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) of the Convention on Wetlands.
Contesting the Future of Forest Governance
In a recent development, the Chhattisgarh forest department issued—and later withdrew—a letter claiming itself as the nodal agency for implementing Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 highlights a critical and ongoing struggle in India’s forest governance.
Chhattisgarh Forest Department Withdraws Community Forest Rights Order
Context The Chhattisgarh Forest Department recently withdrew its May 2025 advisory that prohibited NGOs, private entities, and other departments from engaging in Community Forest Resource (CFR) management activities. Background The May 2025 order cited a 2020 circular and the National Working Plan Code (NWPC), 2023, emphasizing the need for scientific forest management. The order conflicted with the 2023 guidelines of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which empower Gram Sabhas and their CFR Manage