Decriminalisation of certain sections of Indian Forest Act

What are the proposed changes?

• The proposed changes include decriminalising kindling a fire or carrying fire in forest areas, felling trees and dragging timber and even felling or damaging a tree reserved under a special provision of the law. 
• A person who “kindles, keeps or carries any fire” permits cattle to pasture or trespass or causes damage by felling a tree or dragging timber through the forest could earlier be penalised with six months imprisonment or a fine up to Rs 500, or both.  
• The ministry seeks to replace the provision of imprisonment for six months and fine, with a fine of ₹500.
• The ministry in its note said that in order to decriminalise the existing provisions of the Indian Forest Act 1927, it plans to bring amendments in section 26 and 33 of IFA. 
• This amendment is being proposed to make the IFA regulation effective and save time on unnecessary formalities. It also seeks to remove unnecessary fears from general public’s mind.
• The exercise is focused on decriminalisation of relatively minor violations of law, expeditious resolution through compounding of relatively smaller offences, reducing compliance burden on citizens, rationalisation of penalties and preventing harassment of citizens.
• Legal experts said the move is regressive because it reduces the punishment of felling trees worth lakhs because of their timber and ecological value to a mere ₹500 fine.
• Legal experts said also that the Centre does not have the jurisprudence to carry out amendments in the Act, as it does not fall under the Central government, having been enacted before Parliament was established. Instead, the Act is adopted by states as they feel fit.