Haryana’s New Forest Definition Raises Environmental Concerns
Haryana Forest Definition Latest News
The latest news on Haryana’s forest definition, issued in August 2025, is that the Haryana government has officially defined "forest" under the “dictionary meaning” by a notification from the Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department. The definition requires that a forest patch must have:
- A minimum area of 5 hectares if isolated, or
- A minimum area of 2 hectares if contiguous with government-notified forests,
- And it must have a canopy density of at least 40% (0.4).
Exclusions from Definition
This new definition excludes
- Linear, compact, or agro-forestry plantations
- Orchards outside government-notified forests from being treated as forests.
Supreme Court’s Directives on Forest Definition
The Supreme Court of India has issued important directives related to the definition of "forest," primarily emphasizing the need to use the broad, dictionary meaning of the term rather than narrow or restrictive definitions.
Key points from the Supreme Court directives on forest definition are:
- The court reaffirmed the 1996 landmark judgment in the case of T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India, which expanded the definition of forest to include all lands that resemble the dictionary meaning of forest. This includes all lands that may not be officially notified as forest but have forest-like characteristics, irrespective of ownership or record status.
- Expert committees: The Court directed all States and Union Territories (UTs) to constitute expert committees promptly to identify all "forest-like areas," "unclassified forest lands," and "community forest lands" within their jurisdiction using this broad definition. These committees are to conduct comprehensive surveys, mapping, and prepare reports on these forest areas.
- Survey and mapping:The survey and mapping process must comply with the 2011 Lafarge Umiam Mining guidelines. This includes using GIS-based decision support systems, and district-wise mapping of plots qualifying as forests under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. It also includes identifying core, buffer, and eco-sensitive zones of protected areas, wildlife corridors, and lands diverted from forest use.
- States and UTs are required to submit the consolidated report of identified forest lands to the Central government within six months (or by March 31, 2024, as per latest timelines). These records will be digitized and made publicly available on official websites.
- The Supreme Court interim order in February 2024 also stayed the 2023 amendments to the Forest Conservation Act that had narrowed the definition of forests, restoring the broader 1996 definition.
- The Court underscored holding Chief Secretaries and administrators of States/UTs personally accountable for non-compliance with these directives.
- Recent notifications like Haryana's definition of forest reference the Supreme Court-directed dictionary meaning but have faced criticism for being too narrow and excluding ecologically sensitive but unclassified forest-like areas.
In summary, the Supreme Court’s directives firmly establish that the definition of forest for conservation law and policy purposes must be broad, consistent with the dictionary meaning as per the 1996 Godavarman ruling. States and UTs must identify, map, and report all such forest lands comprehensively, ensuring areas that are forest in essence but not officially notified are conserved and regulated under the Forest (Conservation) Act.
Reactions to Haryana’s Forest Definition
Reactions to Haryana’s new forest definition have been largely critical, especially from environmentalists and forest experts. The Haryana government recently issued a notification defining "forest as per dictionary meaning," with criteria such as a minimum area of 5 hectares if isolated (or 2 hectares contiguous with government-notified forests) and a minimum canopy density of 40%.
Key concerns raised include:
- The definition is seen as too narrow and restrictive, likely excluding ecologically important but low-density forest areas, especially in the Aravalli region known for its naturally sparse and thorny vegetation due to low rainfall and rocky terrain.
- Environmentalists argue the 40% canopy density threshold is unrealistic for the Aravallis and other dry regions of Haryana.
- The minimum area requirement (5 hectares or 2 hectares) is considered too high for a dry state like Haryana, potentially leaving smaller but ecologically critical forest patches without protection.
- The exclusion of linear, compact, agroforestry plantations, and orchards outside government-notified forests is also criticized as these plantations often have ecological functions.
- Critics also say this definition contradicts the 1996 Supreme Court Godavarman judgment which mandated a broad, dictionary-based interpretation of "forest" to ensure protection for diverse forest-like areas.
- Allied concerns include the risk of increased unregulated urbanization, illegal mining, and real estate encroachments in vulnerable forest regions like the Aravalli ridge.
- Some retired forest officers and experts have characterized the move as potentially supporting exploitative interests by excluding many important forest areas from legal safeguards.
The Haryana government states it has aligned its definition with judicial expectations and Supreme Court precedents, intending to use this to identify forest areas accurately for protection under the Forest Conservation Act. It also plans to form expert committees to identify forests as per this definition, with reports to be submitted to the Centre and subsequently to the Supreme Court.
Haryana’s New Forest Definition,FAQs?
1. According to the Haryana government’s latest forest definition issued in August 2025, which of the following criteria must a forest patch meet to be classified as a forest?
A) Minimum area of 3 hectares if isolated, with a canopy density of at least 30%
B) Minimum area of 5 hectares if isolated, or 2 hectares if contiguous with government-notified forests, and a canopy density of at least 40%
C) Any area with tree cover above 20%, regardless of size or contiguity
D) Only areas officially notified as forests by the government
2. What is one major criticism environmentalists have regarding Haryana’s new forest definition in relation to the Supreme Court’s 1996 Godavarman judgment?
A) It includes too many small forest patches with low ecological significance
B) It aligns perfectly with the broad dictionary meaning mandated by the Supreme Court
C) It is too narrow and excludes ecologically sensitive forest-like areas, contradicting the broad definition required by the Supreme Court
D) It removes the requirement for canopy density, leading to over-classification of plantations.
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