Thu Mar 06 11:41:26 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Rebukes Modi Government’s Forest Conservation Amendment Act
**New Delhi, March 6, 2025** – The Congress party lauded a Supreme Court ruling that effectively overturned key provisions of the controversial Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, describing it as a rebuke of the Modi government’s environmental policies.
The Supreme Court, in a March 4th order, directed all states and union territories to establish expert committees within one month to compile a comprehensive record of forest lands. This action, according to the court, is necessary to address the ambiguities and issues arising from the 2023 amendment. The committees must complete their work within six months.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh hailed the decision, stating that the 2023 amendment was “among the most draconian laws” and that the Supreme Court’s ruling upholds a landmark 1996 judgment defining “forests” broadly. Ramesh highlighted that the government’s amendments sought to restrict the definition of forests, potentially reducing the total forest area by a significant amount. He further noted the court’s warning to hold Chief Secretaries personally liable for non-compliance.
While celebrating the court’s intervention as a positive step, Ramesh emphasized that it only addresses one aspect of his concerns regarding the amendment. He reiterated the Congress party’s stance against the act, highlighting their consistent opposition since its passage. The party maintains that more action is required to fully mitigate the damage caused by the amendment.
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