Centre: Forest violators must show proof of afforestation
The Union environment ministry has mandated that infrastructure projects that illegally cleared forests must provide proof of compensatory afforestation before receiving final approval. This requirement aims to ensure that entities create new forests or restore degraded land to offset the loss of forest cover. States are now required to submit detailed compliance reports, including verification from regional offices, to regularize such projects.
- ▪The Union environment ministry has issued new guidelines for penal afforestation related to illegal forest land use.
- ▪States must provide proof of compensatory afforestation for infrastructure projects that violated forest laws.
- ▪Previous submissions from states often lacked the necessary details, prompting the ministry to enforce stricter compliance measures.
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Centre: Forest violators must show proof of afforestationCompensatory afforestation is a mandatory legal requirement under which entities must create new forests or restore degraded land.Updated on: Apr 29, 2026 9:10 AM ISTBy Jayashree NandiShare viaCopy link Infrastructure projects that cleared forests illegally must now prove they have completed penal afforestation before receiving final approval, the Union environment ministry has said in directions to states and union territories.States have been asked to follow the procedure and submit proof of penal afforestation for regularisation of such projects.
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