The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued a Notification confirming the effective date for a specific provision within the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023.
In pursuance of sub-rule (1) of rule 15 of the said rules, the Central Government has appointed October 1, 2025, as the effective date for the purpose of the provisions of sub-rule (1) of rule 15 of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023.
The sub-rule (1) of rule 15 empowers the Central Government (by issuing a formal notification) to authorize certain forest officers (those at or above the rank of Divisional Forest Officer or Deputy Conservator of Forests) in the relevant State/UT to initiate legal action.
These authorized officers can file complaints in court against persons, authorities or organizations that are prima facie (based on preliminary evidence) found to have:
- Committed an offence under the Van Adhiniyam (the Act).
- Violated any of the Rules made under the Act (i.e. Van Rules, 2023).
The complaint must be filed in the court that has jurisdiction over that forest land or the relevant area.
The officer to be authorized must be one who has jurisdiction over the forest land where the offence or violation is alleged to have happened.
The Notification, dated October 1, 2025, formalizes the commencement of this particular provision within the forest conservation and augmentation rules.