Ten days back, on October 2, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change published a ‘consultation note’ on changes it proposed to make in the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. What are the proposed changes? Should they be a cause for concern?

Ten days back, on October 2, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change published a ‘consultation note’ on changes it proposed to make in the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. What are the proposed changes? Should they be a cause for concern?

The Palaziye walk the talk as they live close to the land and practise eco-friendly measures to grow seasonal vegetables on the river beds.

The Palaziye walk the talk as they live close to the land and practise eco-friendly measures to grow seasonal vegetables on the river beds.

The Palaziye walk the talk as they live close to the land and practise eco-friendly measures to grow seasonal vegetables on the river beds.

The Palaziye walk the talk as they live close to the land and practise eco-friendly measures to grow seasonal vegetables on the river beds.

The Katha, a direct tributary of the Yamuna has been a lifeline for several small villages once. It originated in a perennial pond in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Villagers remember its clean sparkling waters that flowed the year round.

The Katha, a direct tributary of the Yamuna has been a lifeline for several small villages once. It originated in a perennial pond in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Villagers remember its clean sparkling waters that flowed the year round.

The Katha, a direct tributary of the Yamuna has been a lifeline for several small villages once. It originated in a perennial pond in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Villagers remember its clean sparkling waters that flowed the year round.

The Katha, a direct tributary of the Yamuna has been a lifeline for several small villages once. It originated in a perennial pond in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Villagers remember its clean sparkling waters that flowed the year round.

Any “afforestation” effort like Namami Gange, where trees are raised in active floodplains of rivers, is grossly misplaced and should be avoided.

Any “afforestation” effort like Namami Gange, where trees are raised in active floodplains of rivers, is grossly misplaced and should be avoided.

Any “afforestation” effort like Namami Gange, where trees are raised in active floodplains of rivers, is grossly misplaced and should be avoided.

Any “afforestation” effort like Namami Gange, where trees are raised in active floodplains of rivers, is grossly misplaced and should be avoided.

The Nadi Mitra Mandali established by Jayakant and his friends now also promotes sanitation, natural farming, solar power and more.

The Nadi Mitra Mandali established by Jayakant and his friends now also promotes sanitation, natural farming, solar power and more.

The Nadi Mitra Mandali established by Jayakant and his friends now also promotes sanitation, natural farming, solar power and more.

The Nadi Mitra Mandali established by Jayakant and his friends now also promotes sanitation, natural farming, solar power and more.

Illegal sand mining that has come up around uncontrolled construction is taking a toll on environment and human lives. The present regulations and mining guidelines seem inadequate to stem the rot.

Illegal sand mining that has come up around uncontrolled construction is taking a toll on environment and human lives. The present regulations and mining guidelines seem inadequate to stem the rot.