Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)
Why it Matters?
The Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee deferred clearance for the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri due to ecological concerns over Olive Ridley turtles, Irrawaddy dolphins, migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway, and the loss of 13,000 coastal trees that act as natural cyclone barriers.
What You Should Know?
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is a statutory body constituted under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
FAC is responsible for evaluating proposals involving the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
It assesses the ecological and environmental impact of such projects before granting approval.
The committee can approve, reject, or suggest conditions for the diversion of forest land.
FAC plays a crucial role in balancing development needs with forest conservation.