New Delhi, Sept. 2 -- The Union environment ministry has notified Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Amendment Rules, 2025 which make significant amendments to the forest conservation rules 2023.

Among several key amendments, the new rules, notified on August 31, said the Centre can decide what works can be taken up on various linear infrastructure projects before final forest clearance is granted.

The new rules define "working permission" as permission granted to linear projects after in-principle, or Stage -I, approval to mobilise resources or to commence the preliminary project works other than black topping and concretisation of roads, laying of railway tracks, charging of transmission lines, etc. or as specified by the Central Govern...