NEW DELHI: The Forest Conservation Amendment Bill 2023, as reported by the Joint Committee of Parliament, was passed in Lok Sabha today amid din raised by the Opposition MPs seeking statement of Prime Minister  on Manipur situation in the Parliament.

Defending the Bill Union minister for the Forest and Environment and climate change Bhupender Yadav told the Parliament the Joint Parliament Committee received over 1309 representations from people and groups, JPC toured the entire country to address these objections or representations.

He said the amendment in the Act has been due to the needs and challenges of the present days. It was difficult even to construct a girl toilet on the government land as all waste lands were forest land and need FCA clearance.   

 The Bill is the need of the hour and it aimed at reducing carbon footprints and CO2 emission targets by 2030. 

This move has sparked intense reactions from various environmental groups and NGOs across the nation, who have been vehemently advocating for its repeal and the introduction of additional safeguards to protect the country's fragile ecosystem.

The bill, which was taken up for consideration early in the day, has raised concerns among environmentalists who fear it may compromise the nation's natural resources. However, the government has pushed forward with its passage despite opposition, citing the need for development and economic growth.

In addition to the Forest Conservation Amendment Bill, other crucial legislation has been introduced in Parliament. The Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Bill 2023 was tabled for the first time, aiming to address the crucial issues in the mining sector.

Furthermore, the Lok Sabha also witnessed discussions on the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order Amendment Bill 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Amendment Bill 2023. These bills have significant implications for the region and are being closely watched by both lawmakers and citizens alike.

The introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Bill 2023 adds further complexity to the legislative agenda, as it seeks to address reservation policies in the region.

The passage of the Forest Conservation Amendment Bill 2023 is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the environment and the nation's development trajectory. As the bill now moves to the next stage in the legislative process, debates and discussions on its impact are likely to intensify.. Lok Sabha MPs raised issue that the Bill could not be moved and passed as the opposition  had moved in a no confidence motion