Guwahati, Feb. 4 -- The Supreme Court has issued a stay order, preventing the central and state governments from reducing forest areas.

While hearing a batch of petitions concerning amendments to the 2023 forest conservation law. a bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K. Vinod Chandran on Monday stated the court would not allow any action that diminishes forest cover.

"We will not permit anything which leads to reduction of forest area. We further order that until further orders, no steps will be taken by the Union of India and any state which will lead to reduction of forest land unless compensatory land is provided by the Centre and the states.," the bench said.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the central gover...