Natural Resource Management — Policy Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
42nd Constitutional Amendment Act	1976	Inserted Article 48A (Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life) and Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty to protect and improve the natural environment) into the Constitution. It also transferred 'Forests' and 'Protection of wild animals and birds' from the State List to the Concurrent List.	Provided a constitutional foundation for environmental protection and conservation, making it a state responsibility and a citizen's duty. The shift to the Concurrent List allowed both central and state governments to legislate on these crucial NRM subjects, leading to more comprehensive environmental laws.
Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act	2023	Amended the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, by exempting certain categories of land from its purview, including forest land along railway lines and public roads, and land used for national security projects. It also introduced provisions for compensatory afforestation and allowed for the establishment of zoos and eco-tourism facilities in forest areas.	Aims to streamline infrastructure development and national security projects by easing forest land diversion. However, it has sparked debate regarding its potential to dilute forest protection, impact tribal rights, and reduce the scope of the original Act, raising concerns about long-term forest resource management.
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act	2015	Amended the MMDR Act, 1957, to introduce an auction-based regime for the allocation of major mineral concessions (prospecting licenses and mining leases) to enhance transparency and curb corruption. It also provided for the establishment of District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) to work for the welfare of people affected by mining-related operations.	Significantly reformed mineral resource management by promoting transparency and fair competition in allocation. DMFs ensure that a portion of mining revenue is reinvested in local communities, addressing social externalities of mining and promoting more equitable resource governance.