Dear All,
As you are aware, the new FCA Rules 2022 are a surreptitious back door attempt to scuttle the FRA as well as all legal provisions empowering Gram Sabhas to protect and manage forest resources. It is also, ofcourse, a way to facilitate easy forest clearance and thus the handover of forests to industry and mega projects.
In addition to doing away with provisions requiring certification of completion of FRA provisions and consent of Gram Sabhas before In Principle Clearance in rthe earlier Rules, the introduction of Compensatory Afforestation and Accredited Compensatory Afforestation provisions, the inclusion of forest land in Land Banks will all facilitate the accelerated eviction of forest communities as well as entry of commercial and industrial interests in forests.
The NCST has also objected to these Rules, as you know. But the MoEFCC has rubbished their objections without addressing them properly and ignored the Commission's recommendations for holding these Rules in abeyance while strengthening the old Rules and modifying FCA procedures in comply with FRA requirements .These Rules will be need to be discussed and objected to in Parliament during the Budget session, if they are to be removed or modified. Hence urgent action is necessary .Please see attached:
1. A letter to MPs drafted by several organisations. This letter can be used by all and sent with their own names . Please urgently get MPs on board
2. NCST letter to MoEFCC
3. MoEFCC response
4. A brief appeal for a campaign agaisnt these Rules, in English (hindi shall be shared soon)
5. नए वन संरक्षण नियमों के खिलाफ अभियान के लिए अपीलPlease do urgently do your best to stop these disasterous Rules !