In the first category of states the definition of forests covers not only areas

recorded as forests but also those classified as forests under various state
laws and land classification systems, such as chote jhad ke jungle, bani,
oran, civil soyam land etc. Areas that are identified in state records by
geographical features such as gair mumkin pahar, ravines, nala etc. too
would be considered as forests, with caveats for identifying healthy forest
patches. This would cover areas like Aravallis where some forests remain.
Mangroves, alpine meadows and montane bamboo brakes would also get
defined as forests.

In the second category of states, apart from the areas identified through the
process meant for the first category, more areas are to be brought under the
ambit of forest laws. For this purpose, such states are further classified in
two categories.

In states where the forest cover as well as the recorded forest area is less
than one-third of geographical area, land patches having 10 per cent crown
density will also be defined as forests. This will be done only if 70 per cent
of these patches have natural forests (not plantations). For areas that are not
adjoining existing declared forests, this would be done only for plots bigger
than five hectares.

In states where either the forest cover or the already-demarcated forestland

is above one-third of the geographical area, patches of lands that have more
than 40 per cent crown density would additionally be designated as forest.

Following the national forest policy, which recommends a higher forest

cover in hill districts, the cut-off for identifying additional forests under the
law has been kept at two-third of the geographical areas.

The final definition marks some dilutions from the previous draft, which
was circulated in 2014 after a meeting between states and Centre. In that
definition, even scrub forests with densities lower than 10 per cent were to
be protected in states with low forest cover. This has now been done away
with.

But to protect private plantation growers, it has been ensured that only
large patches (upwards of five hectares), with more than 70 per cent natural
forests, gets covered under the FCA. The draft notification makes it clear
that where people have planted trees on their own the definition would not
apply to ensure plantations are encouraged and the Green India Mission is
not hobbled. The ministry is also nearing the finalisation of a radical
afforestation policy in PPP mode – something that all previous Union
governments have shied away from.

1. Clashes were reported in Aarey Colony between the Mumbai Police and
protesters who tried to stop the felling of trees for the construction of Mumbai metro.

2. As the cutting of the trees continued despite massive protests, the activists tried to
get relief from the Bombay High Court, seeking a stay so that they could approach
the Supreme Court against BMC tree authority's decision. The activists argued that
an appeal would be filed in the apex court on Monday but by then the MMRCL would
have completed cutting all trees in Aarey Colony.

3. The application by the activists was taken up for urgent hearing by Justices SC
Dharmadhikari and AK Menon. However, the green activists suffered a second jolt
after the high court bench refused to stay ongoing felling of trees at Aarey Colony.

4. Advocate Akshay Shinde, appearing for the MMRCL, told the judges that they
initiated the action of cutting trees only after the HC on Friday dismissed the petitions
challenging the approval granted by the BMC Tree Authority. The bench, after
hearing brief arguments, said it would not interfere with Friday's order and refused to
grant a stay on the MMRCL action.

5. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray's son Aaditya Thackeray slammed the
Mumbai metro for axing the trees in Aarey Colony just hours after the Bombay HC's
decision to not quash the BMC tree authority's decision, allowing felling of over 2,600
trees.

6. Aaditya Thackeray also condemned the detention of protesters outside Aarey

Colony and cutting down of trees during the enforcement of model code of conduct
before the assembly elections. Requesting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to look
into the matter, Aaditya Thackeray said it was a matter of "shame" if protesters were
being arrested and filed cases against.

7. The issue has taken a political hue in the run-up to assembly polls, with the
Opposition parties blaming ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena
for their "failure" in saving trees.

8. Senior Congress leader and former Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, who
went to protest against the felling of trees in Aarey Colony, condemned the BMC tree
authority's decision to cut trees at night. He also protested the arrest of activists.

Sanjay Nirupam said the Shiv Sena was adopting "double standards", as it
condemned tree felling but continues to support the BJP-led government.

9. Congress's Milind Deora called the tree cutting decision akin to "stabbing yourself
in the lungs" and said the "brutal" felling of trees was a setback for Mumbai. Taking
to Twitter, Milind Deora said, "It's like repeatedly stabbing yourself in the lungs.
When cities destroy coastlines and green cover, they are advancing the doomsday
clock."

10. Amid strong opposition from green activists, Union Environment Minister Prakash
Javadekar cited a Bombay High Court order to defend the Mumbai Metro
Corporation's move to fell trees in Aarey Colony, saying it was "not a forest".