Published on: April 2026
FOREST CONSERVATION LAWS IN INDIA AND THEIR ROLE IN CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION
Rahul Debnath
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Abstract
Forests play a crucial role in alleviating climate change through mechanisms such as carbon sequestration, the preservation of biodiversity, and the regulation of ecological systems. In India, a diverse forest landscape is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that encompasses the Indian Forest Act of 1927, the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980, the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, and the Forest Rights Act of 2006. This paper offers a critical examination of the evolution and efficacy of these laws in addressing climate change by managing deforestation, promoting afforestation, and enabling sustainable forest management. Furthermore, it explores judicial interventions, policy developments, and notable challenges, including developmental pressures, legal ambiguities, and implementation gaps. While India has made considerable progress in forest conservation, challenges remain concerning enforcement, community rights, and recent policy changes. The study concludes that it is essential to reinforce institutional frameworks, synchronize climate policies with forest governance, and enhance community participation to improve the effectiveness of forest legislation in climate mitigation.
How to Cite this Paper
Debnath, R. (2026). Forest Conservation Laws in India and their Role in Climate Change Mitigation. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(04). https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i4.932
Debnath, Rahul. "Forest Conservation Laws in India and their Role in Climate Change Mitigation." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 04, 2026, pp. . doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i4.932.
Debnath, Rahul. "Forest Conservation Laws in India and their Role in Climate Change Mitigation." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 04 (2026). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i4.932.
References
[1] Government of India. (1927). Indian Forest Act, 1927.[2] Government of India. (1972). Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
[3] Government of India. (1980). Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
[4] Government of India. (1986). Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
[5] Government of India. (2002). Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
[6] (2006). Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
[7] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. (2021). India state of forest report 2021.
[8] Jain, M. P., & Jain, S. N. (2016). Principles of administrative law (8th ed.). LexisNexis.
[9] Divan, S., & Rosencranz, A. (2001). Environmental law and policy in India. Oxford University Press.
[10] Rajamani, L. (2007). Differential treatment in international environmental law. Oxford University Press.
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- •Published on: Apr 30 2026
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