Sustainable Development and Laws Relating to Forest and Bio Diversity Conservation An Analytical Study in Indian Perspective

Abstract

Forests being the lungs of planet Earth are the most important ecosystems. They act as carbon sinks and sustain a huge amount of carbon in them. They play an extremely important role for the survival of the living beings on this earth. From human beings to the flora and fauna of the earth s ecosystem depend on the forests in some way or the other. Forests are the repositories of enormous biodiversity on this planet. They are an adobe to millions of species of animals including human beings, plants and microorganisms. They also give massive ecosystem services to the mankind and to all the living beings thriving on this earth. They regulate climate, water cycles and carbon sequestering on this planet. They even provide livelihood to human beings all over the world. They check global warming on this earth. The parameter of sustainable development is that forest and biodiversity is conserved for the coming generations also. Forests are the most important repositories of terrestrial biological diversity. The diversity of life amongst the living beings and their distinct habitats, the interactions between the various components of the biodiversity makes this planet a habitable place for various life forms. Forest conservation is extremely important for intergenerational equity and the principle of sustainable development paves its way in it. The forests especially in the domains of forestry and agriculture provide 40% of world s economy. This is due to the biological diversity in the forest ecosystems. 70% of the world s poor populace who live in the rural areas is directly dependent on the biodiversity for their livelihood. A rough estimate of 60 million indigenous folks are somehow dependent on forests for their daily needs. The Supreme Court of India in Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra v. State of Uttar Pradesh elucidated the importance of ecosystem services as provided by the forests.The Indian subcontinent has been bestowed with a vast acreage of forests from the ancient time. Various ancient scriptu