The Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980

[27th December, 1980.]

An Act to provide for the conservation of forests and for matters connected therewith or ancillary

or incidental thereto.

[WHEREAS, the importance of forests is to be realised to enable achievement of national

targets of Net Zero Emission by 2070 and maintain or enhance the forest carbon stocks through

ecologically balanced sustainable development;

AND WHEREAS, [Nationally] Determined Contribution targets of the country envisage

creating carbon sink of additional 2.5 to 3.0 billion tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030;

AND WHEREAS, the country envisages an increase in the forest and tree cover to one-third of

its land area, which is to be given impetus with an enhanced growth trajectory;

AND WHEREAS, India has a rich tradition of preserving forests and their bio-diversity, and,

therefore, enhancing forest based economic, social and environmental benefits, including

improvement of livelihoods for forest dependent communities is envisaged;

AND WHEREAS, it is necessary to provide for provisions relating to conservation management

and restoration of forests, maintaining ecological security, sustaining cultural and traditional

values of forests and facilitating economic needs and carbon neutrality.]

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-first Year of the Republic of India as follows:—