The Union Environment Ministry has directed states and union territories to require proof of completion of penal afforestation before granting final approval to infrastructure projects that cleared forests illegally. The direction applies to projects covered under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and to the procedure for penal compensatory afforestation issued on 21 January 2026.
Penal Compensatory Afforestation
Penal compensatory afforestation (PCA) is an environmental penalty used when forest land is diverted without prior approval under forest conservation law. PCA requires afforestation in addition to regular compensatory plantation.
Compliance Requirements
- States have been asked to submit full compliance before Stage-II approval is issued.
- The compliance file must include a verification report from the regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- The verification report must confirm the suitability of the land proposed for penal afforestation.
- The Centre has asked for complete details and proof of penal afforestation instead of undertakings from project proponents.
Guidelines Issued in January 2026
Under the 21 January 2026 guidelines, a violating user agency may provide non-forest land equal to the illegally used forest area. The agency may also deposit an amount equal to twice the Net Present Value of the diverted land.
CAMPA and Plantation Costs
The user agency must bear the full cost of raising and maintaining plantations for at least ten years under an approved afforestation plan. The funds are deposited into the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, or CAMPA.
Related Amendment
In January 2026, the Ministry amended guidelines under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, to allow non-government participation in restoring degraded forest land. The amendment also exempted certain plantation activities from compensatory afforestation and Net Present Value charges when carried out as forestry activities under approved plans.
Last Modified: April 29, 2026