Renewable and Protected

(Source: The Indian Express, Editorial Page)

Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 09 June 2025
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 09 June 2025

Topic: GS Paper 3: Environment, Energy and Sustainable Development

Context

India’s ambitious renewable energy targets necessitate significant land use changes, often involving forest areas. The editorial critiques the recent Forest (Conservation) Act amendments, highlighting their implications for biodiversity, tribal rights, and ecological sustainability amid India’s clean energy push.

Background: Clean Energy vs Forest Safeguards:

• Energy Targets: India’s global climate commitment includes scaling up solar, wind, and hydroelectric projects.

• Land Pressure: A large portion of these projects require forested or ecologically fragile land, triggering conflict with conservation goals.

• Policy Shift: The Forest Act amendments have eased clearances to fast-track these developments.

Forest Act Amendments and Legal Shifts:

• Exemptions Introduced: Land converted before 1980 no longer qualifies for forest protection.

• Security and Infrastructure Projects: Such projects now enjoy exemptions from forest clearances.

• Judicial Oversight Reduced: This may dilute Article 48A protections and the application of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

Environmental and Community Impacts:

• Biodiversity Threats: Project corridors often overlap with wildlife migration routes, especially in the Western Ghats and Aravallis.

• Displacement of Tribals: Relaxed norms bypass consent mechanisms under the FRA, threatening traditional forest dwellers.

• Weakened EIA Protocols: The changes undermine Environmental Impact Assessments and community participation.

Governance and Constitutional Concerns:

• Federalism at Risk: Forest governance becomes more centralized, limiting the role of local bodies.

• Checks and Balances: By reducing the scope for judicial review, long-term sustainability checks are compromised.

• Global Image: Such regressions may affect India’s leadership in global climate platforms.

Way Forward:

• Adopt spatial biodiversity planning alongside renewable development.

• Empower local forest committees to participate in decisions.

• Ensure prior informed consent under the Forest Rights Act is mandatory for all projects.

Renewable Energy vs Forest Protection:

Aspect	Renewable Energy Expansion	Forest Protection Concerns
Objective	Achieve 500 GW of clean energy by 2030	Preserve biodiversity and ecological integrity
Land Use	Requires large tracts, often near forests	Overlaps with wildlife corridors and tribal habitats
Policy Change	Relaxation under FCA 2023 to enable fast-track clearance	Weakened legal checks and reduced EIA scrutiny
Impact on Communities	Infrastructural development and job creation	Displacement, loss of forest rights for tribals
Legal Implications	Facilitates ease of doing business	Potential conflict with Article 48A & FRA 2006

 

Practice Question: Discuss the significance of the Supreme Court’s intervention in ensuring gender equality through the reinterpretation of compassionate appointment rules. What broader implications does this have for social justice in India? (250 words)