the ministry for environment and forests has proposed several amendments to the Indian Forest Act enacted in 1927. The proposal has been sent to the Cabinet for approval.

Official sources said that the proposed amendment will facilitate setting up of a forest board and make attempts to contain shifting cultivation in forests and ridge areas. The provisions of the existing National Forest Policy of 1998 will be linked to the act.

First drafted in 1865, the Indian Forest Act was revised in 1878 and was consolidated again in 1927. The existing Indian Forest Act, 1927, is a consolidated law relating to forests managed for production. The proposed amendment gives more emphasis to conservation aspects in conformity with the National Forest Policy of 1998. The amendments include updation and consolidation of various forest-related acts and the amendments made by the states to the act since 1927.