About Forest Advisory Committee (FAC):
- It is a statutory body established under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980.
- Functions: It considers questions on the diversion of forest land for non-forest uses such as mining, industrial projects, townships and advises the state government on the issue of granting forest clearances.
- Process of Transferring Forest Land:
- Once the FAC is convinced and approves (or rejects a proposal), it is forwarded to the concerned State government where the land is located.
- State government then has to ensure that provisions of the Forest Right Act, 2006, a separate Act that protects the rights of forest dwellers and tribals over their land, are complied with.
- The FAC approval also means that the future users of the land must provide compensatory land for afforestation as well as pay the net present value.
- It is under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
