The Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2012

• The Bill amends the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (the principal Act). 
•  The Act consolidates the law related to forests and forest produce.  
• It prohibits certain activities, some of which are punishable with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of Rs 500.  These include making fresh clearances in forests and setting fire to a reserved forest.  
• These offences can be compounded by officers empowered by the state government.  [To compound an offence means to accept compensation in lieu of  punishment.  This relief is also allowed under Section 320 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 for certain offences.] 
• ƒ Under the Act, only officers of the rank of a ranger or above, who draw a salary of at least Rs 100 per month may be empowered to compound offences.  The Bill removes the minimum salary requirement of an officer to be empowered to compound offences.   
• The Bill also requires forest officers to obtain and record the views of the Gram Sabha before they compound an offence in a Scheduled Area.