The Joint Committee of Parliament on the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, headed by Rajendra Agrawal, M.P., has released a notice inviting suggestions on the proposed law, considering its wider implications.

The views of the public in general, as well as NGOs, experts, stakeholders, and institutions in particular, are invited.

The official press release of the Parliament stated that suggestions submitted to the Committee would form part of the records of the Committee and be treated as “confidential” and “enjoy privileges of the Committee.”

It also specified that those who wish to appear before the Committee, in addition to submitting memoranda,should indicate so specifically. However, the Committee's decision in this regard shall be final.

The notice stated that written memoranda or suggestions should be sent in two copies, either in English or in Hindi, to the “Joint Secretary (JM), Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room No. 440, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi-110001 and mail the same to icfcab-iss@sansad.nic.in.”

It notified that the suggestions should be sent within 15 days from the date of publication of the advertisement i.e May 3, 2023.

In March 2023,the central government had introduced the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, which sought to amend certain provisions under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

The Bill acknowledges that the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 had presented new challenges in terms of ecological, social, and environmental developments, and therefore, the amendment is required.

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