Context
- An amendment to the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 has triggered intense debate by potentially opening large tracts of forestland to commercial exploitation by the paper sector
- Reclassifies commercial plantations on forestland as “forestry activities” — risk of monoculture (eucalyptus, acacia)
India’s Paper Industry Crisis
- India is the third-largest paper producer globally
- Domestic demand: ~11 million TPA; wood availability: only 9 million TPA (fibre shortage)
- 76% of raw material already comes from recycled paper; 20% from agroforestry
- Demand growing at 6-7% annually
Critical Evaluation
- Policymakers must balance industrial need for raw materials with the critical necessity of protecting natural forests from commercial monoculture plantations
- Risk: converting biodiverse forests into single-species plantations destroys ecological integrity
UPSC Angle
- GS3: Environment, forest conservation, industrial policy
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
Forest Law Amendment:
- Act amended: Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980
- India’s rank in paper production: 3rd globally
- Domestic paper demand: ~11 million TPA
- Wood availability: 9 million TPA (deficit of 2 million TPA)
- Recycled paper share: 76%; agroforestry: 20%