KERALA - KOCHI - The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) Vigilance Commission has strongly opposed the proposed amendment to the Kerala Forest Act, calling it "anti-people" and unacceptable. This new amendment, which follows a draft notification by the Forest Department, seeks to modify the Forest Act that was originally enacted in 1961 and has seen several changes since then. According to the Commission, the latest amendment introduces serious concerns, especially at a time when there is increasing public demand for reforms in the existing law, which is often criticized for being detrimental to the local population.

Among the most worrying aspects of the amendment, the Vigilance Commission highlighted are the substantial fines, the extensive powers granted to Beat Forest Officers, and provisions that could punish people for disposing of waste in forest areas or rivers flowing into forests. These changes, the Commission argues, could create serious difficulties for communities living along forest borders. The concern is that the amendment would only make the Forest Act more oppressive, leaving room for potential misuse of power, leading to innocent people being penalized on the basis of suspicion or misunderstanding.

The KCBC Vigilance Commission believes that while protecting forests is essential, the current situation, with growing wildlife encroachment, calls for practical reforms to balance conservation efforts with the livelihoods of nearby communities. Fr. Dr. Michael Pulikkal CMI, the Secretary of the Commission, emphasized the need for the Forest Department to take necessary actions that ensure wildlife remains within forest boundaries and that forest officials are held accountable when wild animals venture into residential areas. He also urged the government to reconsider laws that restrict development in affected regions, suggesting reforms that would benefit both the environment and local populations.

The Commission’s statement reflects the need for a more balanced approach, where forest protection does not come at the cost of local communities' rights and well-being.

About The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 
The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 (FCAA) officially came into effect on December 1, 2023, despite facing intense opposition from a wide array of groups, including citizens, environmental scientists, non-profit organizations, and even lawmakers. The controversial legislation has sparked concerns about its potential impact on forest conservation efforts across the country. However, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has pressed ahead with its implementation, now allowing state governments the authority to approve forest diversions that were previously deemed illegal under the original Forest Conservation Act of 1980 (FCA).

Passed by Parliament on July 26, 2023, and receiving Presidential assent on August 4, 2023, the FCAA has drawn criticism for potentially undermining environmental safeguards. In November 2023, the MoEFCC introduced the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023, which further reinforced the FCAA by giving state governments increased discretion to regularize encroachments and approve land diversions within forest areas. This move has fueled concerns about the future of India’s forests and wildlife, as environmentalists fear it could pave the way for further degradation of forest ecosystems under the guise of development.

Despite the widespread outcry, the government has defended the amendments, arguing that they provide necessary flexibility for states to manage forest lands in line with development needs. However, critics remain vocal, warning that the law could lead to unchecked deforestation and hinder efforts to protect India’s fragile environment.