IJMRA-11633.pdf (original) (raw)

The Indian Forest Act has long been criticized for failing to provide a clear definition of "Forest," a significant oversight that undermines legal clarity regarding property rights and governance over woodland areas. The absence of this definition is traced back to the British colonial era, where feudal practices influenced the management of forests without formal classification. Despite several subsequent acts and amendments aimed at regulating forest resources, the lack of a recognized legal definition for "Forest" has been overlooked even in post-independence India, raising questions about the efficacy and legitimacy of current forest governance in a democratic framework.