Forest and wildlife law affects more people than you might think: a project that needs forest land, a farm next to a sanctuary, a family charged over an animal part, or a village claiming its rights to the forest it has always used.
We act for project developers seeking approvals, for communities and individuals defending their rights, and for people accused under the Wild Life (Protection) Act.
हिंदी में सारांश
जंगल की ज़मीन को किसी परियोजना के लिए इस्तेमाल करने के लिए वन (संरक्षण एवं संवर्धन) अधिनियम, 1980 के तहत मंज़ूरी चाहिए। वन्यजीव अपराधों पर वन्यजीव संरक्षण अधिनियम, 1972 लागू होता है। वन अधिकार अधिनियम, 2006 वनवासी समुदायों के अधिकारों को मान्यता देता है।
Is this your situation?
- Your project needs forest land, or land that may be treated as forest
- Your site is near a national park, sanctuary or eco-sensitive zone
- You need permission to cut or transplant trees
- You or a family member is accused under the Wild Life (Protection) Act
- Your village wants to claim or defend forest rights
- You want to challenge a forest clearance granted to a project
Key areas
Forest clearance
Approval to use forest land for non-forest purposes, with compensatory afforestation.
Eco-sensitive zones
Restrictions around protected areas, set by notification.
Tree felling
Permission under state tree protection laws and forest rules.
Wildlife offences
Hunting, trade and possession of protected species, tried in criminal courts.
Forest rights
Individual and community rights under the Forest Rights Act.
Appeals
NGT appeals against forest clearances, within 30 days.
Using forest land for a project
Diverting forest land for a non-forest purpose needs prior approval of the central government under the forest conservation law, renamed the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam in 2023. The process runs through the PARIVESH portal and usually happens in two stages. Conditions often include compensatory afforestation, payment of net present value and, where relevant, consent of the gram sabha under the Forest Rights Act.
Whether land counts as forest is not always obvious. Land recorded as forest in government records is clearly covered; the 2023 amendment changed the position for some other categories. Check this early, because it decides the timeline of the whole project.
If you are accused under the Wild Life Act
Wildlife offences are criminal cases and can carry imprisonment. The NGT does not hear them; they go to the magistrate and, on appeal or for bail, to the Sessions Court and High Court. Common cases involve possession of animal parts, trade in protected birds or reptiles, and hunting. The first steps are usually bail, and then a careful look at how the seizure and samples were handled.
| Matter | Forum |
|---|---|
| Forest clearance appeal | NGT, within 30 days |
| Wildlife offence | Magistrate, then Sessions Court and High Court |
| Forest rights claim | Gram sabha, sub-divisional and district committees |
| Eco-sensitive zone dispute | Authority under the notification, then High Court or NGT |
How we work
Find out what applies
Forest, wildlife, rights or a combination.
Collect records
Land records, notifications, permissions and FIRs.
Act
Application, reply, bail, claim or appeal.
Follow through
Hearings and compliance with conditions.
How we work
We are a litigation and advisory practice led by Advocate BK Singh, with offices in Dwarka (New Delhi) and Vaishali (Ghaziabad), working on environmental matters across India.
- Deadline first: we tell you the time limit before anything else.
- Regulator and tribunal: we handle the board stage and the NGT, so nothing is lost between them.
- Plain advice: what we think will happen, including when a case is not worth filing.
- Written fee terms: agreed stage by stage, never linked to the outcome.
Related services
Forest clearance · Projects near protected areas · Tree felling permission · Wildlife offence defence · Biodiversity and natural resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does private land ever need forest clearance?
It can, if the land is recorded as forest or falls within categories covered by the forest law. Check the land records early.
Can the NGT hear a Wild Life Act case?
No. The Wild Life (Protection) Act is not in the NGT Act schedule, so those cases go to the criminal courts and High Court.
How long does forest clearance take?
It depends on the area and the state; it can take several months or longer. Starting with complete papers on PARIVESH helps.
What is an eco-sensitive zone?
An area around a national park or sanctuary where certain activities are regulated or banned by notification.
Can a gram sabha object to a project?
Under the Forest Rights Act, rights must be settled and the gram sabha consulted before forest land is diverted, in areas where those rights exist.
Can I get bail in a wildlife case?
Bail is often available, but it depends on the offence and the facts. Act quickly.
Forest or wildlife matter?
Send us the papers or describe the situation. We will tell you which law applies and what to do next.
This page gives general information about environmental law as it stood when it was last reviewed. It is not legal advice on your case and does not promise any result. Laws, rules and time limits change, so check the current position for your matter before acting.
Need help with Forest and Wildlife Law: Clearances, Rights and Cases?
Send us the notice, the order or a few photos. We'll tell you where you stand, which authority or NGT bench deals with it and when the next step is due, in plain words.
