MOEFCC issues the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Amendment Rules, 2026; prescribes authority to conduct field inspections for proposals involving more than 40 hectares of forest land

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (“MOEFCC”) has issued an amendment to the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023 under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. For every proposal for forest land dereservation/use of forest land for non-forest purposes/assignment of lease involving more than 40 hectares of forest land, in addition to verification by the Divisional Forest Officer, a field inspection must be conducted by one of the following officers:

• Conservator of Forests
• Chief Conservator of Forests
• Regional Chief Conservator of Forests holding charge of the concerned forest circle

Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change