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act 069 of 1980 : The Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980

Section 1. Short title, extent and commencement.

(1) This Act may be called the 1[Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam], 1980.

(2) It extends to the whole of India 2***.
(3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 25th day of October, 1980.



1. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for "Forest (Conservation) Act" (w.e.f. 1-12-2023).
2. The words "except the State of Jammu and Kashmir" omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule (w.e.f. 31-10- 2019).


Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
03-10-2003 Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003.
2004 Forest (Conservation) Amendment Rules, 2004
2004 Corrigendum to the Forest(Conservation) Amendment Rules, 2004.
2014 Forest (Conservation) Amendment Rules, 2014.
10-10-2014 Forest (Conservation) Second Amendment Rules, 2014.
2017 Forest (Conservation) Amendment Rules, 2017.
Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
26-02-2019 Compliance of the Schedule Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006-regarding
28-03-2019 Handbook of guidelines for effective and transparent implementation of the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
02-04-2019 Proposals seeking diversion of forest land for non-foresrty purposesclarification on selection of land for Compensatory afforestation(CA) — reg.
20-05-2019 Order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 28.01.2019 on I.A. No.3924/2015 in WP (Civil) 202/1995 regarding changing status of forest land to revenue land in case of voluntary relocation of villages, reg.
21-05-2019 Clarification on applicability of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 over RoW of Railways-regarding
Section 1A. Act to cover certain land.

1[1A. Act to cover certain land.--(1) The following land shall be covered under the provisions of this Act, namely:--

(a) the land that has been declared or notified as a forest in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (16 of 1927) or under any other law for the time being in force;
(b) the land that is not covered under clause (a), but has been recorded in Government record as forest, as on or after the 25th October, 1980:
Provided that the provisions of this clause shall not apply to such land, which has been changed from forest use to use for non-forest purpose on or before the 12th December, 1996 in pursuance of an order, issued by any authority authorised by a State Government or an Union territory Administration in that behalf.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression "Government record" means record held by Revenue Department or Forest Department of the State Government or Union territory Administration, or any authority, local body, community or council recognised by the State Government or Union territory Administration.
(2) The following categories of land shall not be covered under the provisions of this Act, namely:--
(a) such forest land situated alongside a rail line or a public road maintained by the Government, which provides access to a habitation, or to a rail, and roadside amenity up to a maximum size of 0.10 hectare in each case;
(b) such tree, tree plantation or reafforestation raised on lands that are not specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1); and
(c) such forest land,--
(i) as is situated within a distance of one hundred kilometres along international borders or Line of Control or Line of Actual Control, as the case may be, proposed to be used for construction of strategic linear project of national importance and concerning national security; or
(ii) up to ten hectares, proposed to be used for construction of security related infrastructure; or
(iii) as is proposed to be used for construction of defence related project or a camp for paramilitary forces or public utility projects, as may be specified by the Central Government, the extent of which does not exceed five hectares in a Left Wing Extremism affected area as may be notified by the Central Government.
(3) The exemption provided under sub-section (2) shall be subject to such terms and conditions, including the conditions of planting trees to compensate felling of trees undertaken on the lands, as the Central Government may, by guidelines, specify.]


1. Ins. by Act 15 of 2023, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-12-2023).

Section 2. Restriction on the dereservation of forests or use of forest land for non-forest purpose.

1[(1)] Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force in a State, no State Government or other authority shall make, except with the prior approval of the Central Government, any order directing--

(i) that any reserved forest (within the meaning of the expression "reserved forest" in any law for the time being in force in that State) or any portion thereof, shall cease to be reserved;
(ii) that any forest land or any portion thereof may be used for any non-forest purpose.
2[(iii) that any forest land or any portion thereof may be assigned by way of lease or otherwise to any private person or to any authority, corporation, agency or any other organization 3[subject to such terms and conditions, as the Central Government may, by order, specify];
(iv) that any forest land or any portion thereof may be cleared of trees which have grown naturally in that land or portion, for the purpose of using it for reafforestation.]
4[Explanation.--For the purposes of this section "non-forest purpose" means the breaking up or clearing of any forest land or portion thereof for--
(a) the cultivation of tea, coffee, spices, rubber, palms, oil-bearing plants, horticultural crops or medicinal plants;
(b) any purpose other than reafforestation,
5[but does not include any work relating to or ancillary to conservation, development and management of forests and wildlife, such as--
(i) silvicultural operations including regeneration operations;
(ii) establishment of check-posts and infrastructure for the front line forest staff;
(iii) establishment and maintenance of fire lines;
(iv) wireless communications;
(v) construction of fencing, boundary marks or pillars, bridges and culverts, check dams, waterholes, trenches and pipelines;
(vi) establishment of zoo and safaris referred to in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972), owned by the Government or any authority, in forest areas other than protected areas;
(vii) eco-tourism facilities included in the Forest Working Plan or Wildlife Management Plan or Tiger Conservation Plan or Working Scheme of that area; and
(viii) any other like purposes, which the Central Government may, by order, specify.]]
1(2) The Central Government may, by order, specify the terms and conditions subject to which any survey, such as, reconnaissance, prospecting, investigation or exploration including seismic survey, shall not be treated as non-forest purpose.]



1. Section renumbered as sub-section (1) by Act 15 of 2023, s. 5 (w.e.f. 1-12-2023).
2. Ins. by Act 69 of 1988, s. 2 (w.e.f. 15-3-1989).
3. Subs. by Act 15 of 2023, s. 5, for "not owned, managed or controlled by Government" (w.e.f. 1-12-2023).
4. Subs. by Act 69 of 1988, s. 2, for the Explanation (w.e.f. 15-3-1989).
5. Subs. by Act 15 of 2023, s. 5, for the long line (w.e.f. 1-12-2023).
6. Ins. by Act 15 of 2023, s. 5 (w.e.f. 1-12-2023)

Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
26-02-2019 Compliance of the Schedule Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006-regarding
28-03-2019 Handbook of guidelines for effective and transparent implementation of the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
02-04-2019 Proposals seeking diversion of forest land for non-foresrty purposesclarification on selection of land for Compensatory afforestation(CA) — reg.
20-05-2019 Order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 28.01.2019 on I.A. No.3924/2015 in WP (Civil) 202/1995 regarding changing status of forest land to revenue land in case of voluntary relocation of villages, reg.
21-05-2019 Clarification on applicability of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 over RoW of Railways-regarding
21-05-2019 Clarification on applicability of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 over RoW of Railways-regarding
22-05-2019 Proposal seeking diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 190 - Special consideration of compensatory afforestation in forest rich States-reg.
22-05-2019 Proposal seeking diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 190 - Special consideration of compensatory afforestation in forest rich States — reg.
07-06-2019 Clarification on the Guidelines issued dated 17.04.2018 for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purpose under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
07-06-2019 Clarification on the Guidelines issued dated 17.04.2018 for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purpose under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
05-08-2019 Exclusion of Ropeway Projects from the ambit of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and payment of NPV - reg.
05-08-2019 Clarification regarding Linear Infrastructure (Conveyor belt) Linked to mining projects-reg.
26-08-2019 Proposal seeking diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 ; Charging of lease rent of Rs. 30,000/- per MW in respect of Wind Power Projects — regarding.
26-08-2019 Inclusion of guidelines related to Tripartite Agreement for reafforestation and rehabilitations of degraded forest land — reg.
13-09-2019 mendments of Para 4.4.3 of Chapter-4 of the Guidelines given under the Handbook of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 — reg.
30-09-2019 Guidelines specific to hydrocarbon sector for undertaking 'seismic surveys and exploratory drilling in forest areas - reg.
Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
08-06-2018 Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) in Saranda and Chaibasa in Singhbhum district, Jharkhand
17-07-2018 Clarification on Authorization of State Governments Powers to Principle Chief Conservator of Forests.
Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
19-12-2017 Confirmation of online deposits made in Compensatory Afforestation fund by User Agency by without generating online challan from web portal clarification.
20-03-2018 Double Charging of cost of the same Forest Produce by Forest Department from user Agencies while diverting Forest Land for Non-forestry purpose by violating the ordre of the Supreme Court dated 28.03.2008 and Government of India's letter dated 05.02.2009.
17-05-2018 Display of Aadhar related information in web based Forest Clearance System.
28-09-2018 Permission for tree cutting which are effecting track safety of railway between Salk Road- Bhanwartonk tonnel
Section 2A.Appeal to National Green Tribunal.

1[2A. Appeal to National Green Tribunal.—Any person aggrieved, by an order or decision of the State Government or other authority made under section 2, on or after the commencement of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, may file an appeal to the National Green Tribunal established under section 3 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, in accordance with the provisions of that Act.]



1.Ins. by Act 19 of 2010, s. 36 and Schedule III (w.e.f. 18-10-2010).

Section 3. Constitution of Advisory Committee.

The Central Government may constitute a Committee consisting of such number of persons as it may deem fit to advise that Government with regard to--

(i) the grant of approval under section 2; and
(ii) any other matter connected with the conservation of forests which may be referred to it by the Central Government.


Section 3A.Penalty for contravention of the provisions of the Act.

1[3A. Penalty for contravention of the provisions of the Act.--Whoever contravenes or abets the contravention or any of the provisions of section 2, shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a period which may extend to fifteen days.]



1.Ins. by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-1989).

Section 3B.Offences by authorities and Government departments.

1[3B. Offences by authorities and Government departments.--(1) Where any offence under this Act has been committed

(a) by any department of Government, the head of the department; or
(b) by any authority, every person who, at the time the offence was committed, was directly in charge of, and was responsible to, the authority for the conduct of the business of the authority as well as the authority,
shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render the head of the department or any person referred to in clause (b), liable to any punishment if the proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence punishable under the Act has been committed by a department of government or any authority referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part, of, any officer, other than the head of the department, or in the case of an authority, any person other than the persons referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1), such officer or persons shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.]


1. Ins. by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-3-1989).

Section 3C.Power of Central Government to issue directions.

1[3C. Power of Central Government to issue directions.--The Central Government may, from time to time, issue such directions, to any authority under the Central Government, State Government or Union territory Administration, or to any organisation, entity or body recognised by the Central Government, State Government or Union territory Administration, as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act.]



1. Ins. by Act 15 of 2023, s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-12-2023).

Section 4. Power to make rules.

(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act.

(2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.


Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
03-10-2003 Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003.
2004 Forest (Conservation) Amendment Rules, 2004
2004 Corrigendum to the Forest(Conservation) Amendment Rules, 2004.
2014 Forest (Conservation) Amendment Rules, 2014.
10-10-2014 Forest (Conservation) Second Amendment Rules, 2014.
2017 Forest (Conservation) Amendment Rules, 2017.
10-08-2018 Notification of CAF Rules 2018.
20-11-2018 CAF(AP) Rules 2018
17-11-2020 Notification 17.11.2020 - The powers conferred by sub rule (1) of Rule 9 of the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003.
09-06-2022 Gazette notification published on 03/09.06.2023 regarding processing of proposals involving violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
28-06-2022 Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 (Published on 28.06.2022)
26-06-2023 Gazette Notification dt. 26.062023 for Constitution of Regional Offices and their Sub-offices of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
29-11-2023 Guideline for proposals pertaining to assignment of forest land on lease.
29-11-2023 Guidelines for reconnaissance, prospecting, investigation or exploration including seismic survey.
29-11-2023 Guidelines specifying the terms and conditions to be abided by the State Government or Union territory, while considering exemptions provided under sub-section (2) of section 1A of Van (Sanrakshan evm Samvardhan) Adhiniyam 2023.
29-11-2023 Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules 2023
Section 5. Repeal and saving.

(1) The Forest (Conservation) Ordinance, 1980 (17 of 1980) is hereby repealed.

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the provisions of the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act.


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