The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on January 05, 2026, notified regarding the exemption from the requirement of raising compensatory afforestation over non-forest land as mandated under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023.
The following has been stated namely: -
• It states that after examining the matter in reference to the Punjab Department of Water Resources’ letter dated November 26, 2025, the Ministry has clarified the provisions relating to compensatory afforestation under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023.
• It has reiterated that the State Government is primarily required to provide suitable non-forest land for compensatory afforestation. Where such land is unavailable, Rule 13(3) permits the use of revenue forest land, including land recorded as forest in government records and land under Sections 4 and 5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900, subject to transfer or notification as forest land under the Indian Forest Act, 192,7 before final approval.
• Further, Rule 14(3) allows compensatory afforestation to be carried out in other States if suitable land is not available within the State where forest land diversion is proposed.
[Notification no. - FC-11/118/2021-FC]
