Forest Conservation Act (FCA)

The Forest Conservation Act was enacted in the year 1980 with a view to check further deforestation, as the degradation in forests ultimately results in ecological imbalance. The basic premise of this act is that forests of the country have to be conserved and developed for ecological security, environmental stability and sustainable development. The act lays emphasis on restriction on the de-reservation of forest or use of forest land for non-forest purpose and principally it provide a framework and mechanism where in if any demand arises for forest land for non- forestry purposes then in that case if no alternatives are available, the minimum forest land is to be diverted for non- forestry purposes with due compensatory measures.

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is a unique piece of legislation, and regulatory mechanism that reflects the collective will of the nation to protect its rich biodiversity and natural heritage and that permits only unavoidable use of forest land for various development purpose. It embodies the firm commitment of the Government to balance the conservation of forests with the sustainable development need of the country contributing to better environment, health and economy.

Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980 contains the rules and guidelines for regulating non forestry use of forest land. Prior approval of Central Government is required for the diversion of forest. The User agencies, demanding diversion of forest land are required to submit a proposal in the prescribed format along with other documents and maps as per the guidelines of Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The approval procedure involves scrutiny and verification at district, circle, state, regional and country level. As defined in the guidelines, the power of approvals vest at state government and Government of India. The proposals are processed in the office of Deputy Conservator of forest, the concerned Chief Conservator of forest, and Nodal officer for further submission to Government of Gujarat and Ministry of Forest & environment (MOEF), Government of India.

• Handbook Guidelines 2019(874 KB)
• Forest Conservation Act 1980 (with amendments made in 1988)(303 KB)
• FCA Check List(164 KB)
• Provisions under FCA - 1980(127 KB)

Net Present Value (NPV)

District-wise rates for collection of Net Present Value (NPV) from the user agency for diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose under FCA-1980

• Revines , Scrub forests and Prosopis scrub including blanks and other such type of minor vegetation types in forests land in Saurashtra ,Kachchh, Patan,Ahmedabad and poor vegetation in coastal areas may aiso be considered in Eco-class-IV
• Strip areas along Road side , Railway side Canal side declared as protected forest may fall in Eco-class-IV

Density of Forests

Amount of Net Present Value (NPV) depend on Eco –Class of forest and its density. The density

• Dense forest land (canopy density from 40% to70% )
• Open forests land ( canopy density from 10% to below 40%)
• Barren forest land ,saline forest land banks , degraded forest land will fall in category of open forests for purpose of calculation Net Present Value (NPV)

Approval Stages

• Time line fixed for processing the proposal under Forest Conservation Act , 1980 for getting In- principle approval from GoI(10 KB)
• Time line for compliance of the conditions of In- principle approved proposal requried for obtaining Final Approval under FCA, 1980(9 KB)

Rules

Sr. No.	Subject / Detail	Download
1	Diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 – Guidelines regarding extension of period of validity of approvals accorded under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land of mining projects.	(948 KB)
2	Guidelines for Diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 – Submission of proposals to obtain approval for diversion of entire forest land located within a mining lease.	(1.5 MB)
3	Guidelines for Diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 – Submission of proposals to obtain approval for diversion of entire forest land located within a mining lease.	(700 KB)
4	Guidelines for Diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 – Guidelines regarding extension of period of validity of approvals accorded under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for mining projects.	(1.03 MB)
5	Guidelines for Diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 – simplified procedure for grant of permission for felling of trees standing on forest land to be diverted for execution of linear projects.	(1.03 MB)
6	Diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980-Guidelines regarding management of safety zone in the mining lease.	(584 KB)
7	Guidelines for Diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 – simplified procedure for grant of permission for felling of trees standing on forest land to be diverted for execution of linear projects.	(721 KB)
8	Guidelines for diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes under the forest (Conservation) Act 1980 – Submission of proposals to obtain approval for diversion of entire forest land located within the mining lease and grant of environment clearance to mining projects.	(651 KB)
9	Diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes under the forest (Conservation) Act 1980 – Guidelines regarding area of forest land falling in safety zone.	(546 KB)
10	General approval under section-2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land required for creation of border security related infrastructure within five kilometers aerial distance from the international border by paramilitary organizations of the ministry of home affairs.	(1.03 MB)
11	General approval under section-2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for construction and widening of two lane roads for Indo Tibet Border Police in the areas falling within 100 Km. aerial distance from the Line of Actual Control.	(662 KB)
12	Diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 – Amendment of guidelines regarding prior approval of central government under the forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for transfer of lease involving forest land.	(699 KB)
13	Draft Forest (Conservation) Amendment Rules, 2013	(15.6 MB)
14	Forest (Conservation) Amendment Rules, 2004	(244 KB)
15	Second Amendment Rules 2014	(4.9 MB)