<p>Bengaluru: It has been two months since the Union government urged states to expedite the finalisation of their lists of "unclassed forests". But official documents indicate that Karnataka is among seven states and Union Territories that have made no progress on the matter.</p>.<p>"The states/UTs where no substantial progress has been made must take immediate action and submit a progress report to the MoEF&CC," the ministry has stated.</p>.<p>The Union government had given this direction after the Karnataka government directed the Forest Department to revise the extent of deemed forests in the state.</p>.<p>At a meeting in February, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) highlighted provisions of the amended Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which require states to establish expert committees for this purpose.</p>.<p>According to the revised rule, states "shall prepare a consolidated record of such lands, including the forest-like areas identified by the expert committee constituted for this purpose". </p>.Vulture population rises in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.<p>In October last year, the Karnataka government had announced the formation of a new committee to review deemed forests. The state had notified 3.3 lakh hectares (8.15 lakh acres) as deemed forest in May 2022. However, the inclusion of residential areas and private lands led to demands for a revision.</p>.<p>Sources in the Forest Department said both the state and central directives provide an opportunity to address concerns over private land inclusion.</p>.<p>"This is the right time to ensure public acceptance of deemed forests by removing such lands. However, additional areas should be added to maintain the overall extent," an official said.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: It has been two months since the Union government urged states to expedite the finalisation of their lists of "unclassed forests". But official documents indicate that Karnataka is among seven states and Union Territories that have made no progress on the matter.</p>.<p>"The states/UTs where no substantial progress has been made must take immediate action and submit a progress report to the MoEF&CC," the ministry has stated.</p>.<p>The Union government had given this direction after the Karnataka government directed the Forest Department to revise the extent of deemed forests in the state.</p>.<p>At a meeting in February, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) highlighted provisions of the amended Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which require states to establish expert committees for this purpose.</p>.<p>According to the revised rule, states "shall prepare a consolidated record of such lands, including the forest-like areas identified by the expert committee constituted for this purpose". </p>.Vulture population rises in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.<p>In October last year, the Karnataka government had announced the formation of a new committee to review deemed forests. The state had notified 3.3 lakh hectares (8.15 lakh acres) as deemed forest in May 2022. However, the inclusion of residential areas and private lands led to demands for a revision.</p>.<p>Sources in the Forest Department said both the state and central directives provide an opportunity to address concerns over private land inclusion.</p>.<p>"This is the right time to ensure public acceptance of deemed forests by removing such lands. However, additional areas should be added to maintain the overall extent," an official said.</p>