Policy Decision by the Forest Advisory Committee: A Threat to Northeast India’s Ecological Balance

In a recent policy decision, the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has proposed easing the norms for compensatory afforestation when forest land is diverted for the widening or upgrading of roads constructed before 1980 in forest areas. While this move is aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, especially in the strategically important Northeast region, it has raised concerns about irreversible ecological loss. The region has already experienced a significant loss of forest cover, with 3,698 square kilometers of forest area vanishing over a span of just ten years, from 2011 to 2021. This latest decision, if implemented, could exacerbate the situation and lead to further degradation of the region's fragile ecology.

Understanding the FAC’s Policy Decision

The policy decision revolves around the applicability of the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) of 1980, particularly when it comes to road projects in forested areas. According to the FAC’s recommendation, road projects in forest areas that were constructed before 1980 can be exempt from the provisions of the FCA, provided certain conditions are met. The key condition is that the forest land in question is used for the same purpose for which it was allowed before 1980—that is, for road construction. Under these circumstances, the FAC suggests that compensatory afforestation and the payment of Net Present Value (NPV) should not be required for roads that were already built prior to 1980.

Additionally, when seeking approval for further diversion of forest land to widen or improve these roads, project authorities must include details of the existing forest land that was part of the original carriageway in their applications for diversion. While this proposal aims to streamline the process for road expansion, it raises serious concerns regarding the absence of compensatory afforestation for any new loss of forest cover.

The Implications for the Northeast Region

The Northeast region of India is home to rich biodiversity and a highly fragile ecological balance. The region has already seen a substantial loss of its forest cover, and any further deforestation, especially without proper compensatory afforestation measures, could have disastrous long-term consequences. Deforestation not only impacts biodiversity but also affects local communities that depend on the forest for their livelihood and sustenance.

In the context of road widening and upgrading projects, the absence of compensatory afforestation could exacerbate soil erosion, loss of habitat for wildlife, and disruption of vital ecosystem services such as water regulation and carbon sequestration. These consequences are particularly critical in the Northeast, where the delicate balance of the ecosystem is already under threat.

The Role of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund

The Supreme Court of India, in its 2002 directive, established a "Compensatory Afforestation Fund" to manage the funds collected for compensatory afforestation, additional compensatory afforestation, and penal compensatory afforestation. The apex court also directed that any project requiring the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes must involve the payment of NPV—essentially a monetary value for the ecological services provided by the forest.

This fund has been a crucial mechanism to ensure that the loss of forest areas for development is mitigated through afforestation and rehabilitation efforts. However, the FAC’s recent decision to exempt compensatory afforestation and NPV payment for road projects in forest areas constructed before 1980 raises concerns about the adequacy of this fund and its ability to support meaningful afforestation initiatives in the region.

The Need for a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment

While the FAC’s policy aims to expedite the process of road widening and upgrading, it is essential to conduct a thorough and cumulative environmental impact assessment. The decision to relax the compensatory afforestation requirement could lead to a situation where multiple road projects, each contributing to small-scale deforestation, result in a significant cumulative loss of forest cover in the long run. Rushing to assume that these projects will have a negligible environmental impact without a proper assessment could be a grave mistake.

In 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had already relaxed the requirement for prior environmental clearance for highway projects related to defense and strategic importance in border states. This exemption, combined with the FAC’s recent decision, could result in a situation where environmental considerations are sidelined in the name of development, without proper safeguards in place.

Balancing Development and Conservation

Infrastructure development, particularly road networks, is essential for the economic growth and strategic security of the Northeast region. The region needs better connectivity to support the movement of goods, services, and people. However, this development must not come at the cost of irreversible ecological damage. The government must find a balance between promoting infrastructure and safeguarding the environment.

One potential solution could be for the central government to allocate additional funds to the state forest departments to carry out afforestation programs if the FAC’s decision to exempt compensatory afforestation is implemented. This could ensure that the loss of forest cover from road projects is mitigated through dedicated afforestation efforts, without relying solely on user agencies to fund these initiatives.

The FAC’s decision to relax compensatory afforestation requirements for road projects constructed before 1980 raises important questions about the future of the Northeast region’s forests. While the region desperately needs improved road networks for development, the loss of forest cover without adequate compensation could have lasting environmental consequences. A thorough environmental impact assessment, coupled with a strategic approach to afforestation, is essential to ensure that the region’s fragile ecology is preserved while facilitating infrastructure growth. Ultimately, balancing the goals of development and conservation will require careful planning, sustained investment in afforestation, and a commitment to ecological protection.

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