Sweeping deforestation has provoked an urgent debate in India on the efficiency of our forest policy, originally formulated by the British with "consumption" rather than "conservation" in mind. Foresters are questioning the relevance of the custodial approach which seriously ignores village needs and "alienates" communities. In culmination of an effort begun in 1989, the Union environment ministry now aims to amend the 73-years old Indian Forest Act. It intends to give greater say to village communities, set up an apex body, make encroachment a non-bailable offence and much more. It is just these urgent changes and useful recommendations that Dr. Chhatrapati Singh stresses upon. This book analyses forest laws in each state and is a comprehensive treatment of a subject vital to the social, economic and ecological life in India. Written in an easy and fluent style, the book conveys ideas that are important and need to be treated as a priority.
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