Environment Ministry Revises Forest Conservation Inspection Norms for Large Land Diversions

The Environment Ministry has amended forest conservation norms under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023, removing the mandatory requirement for a nodal officer to conduct field inspections for projects involving over 100 hectares of forest land diversion. Now, conservators, chief conservators, or regional chief conservators of forests can perform these inspections alongside the divisional forest officer. The amendment aims to streamline the approval process for forest land diversion proposals requiring central government approval.