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Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land diverted from in 10 years; 63% for mining, irrigation and roads: Centre tells Lok Sabha
The Union environment ministry approved the diversion of 1,73,984.3 hectares of forest land for non-forestry purposes between 2014-15 and 2023-24, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh stated in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The mining and quarrying sector, the hydropower energy and irrigation sector, and road projects accounted for about 63 per cent of diversion, with forest land of 40,096.17 hectares, 40,138.31 hectares, and 30,605.69 hectares diverted for the three purposes respectively. The Union minister was replying to a question from Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who asked whether forest clearances for infrastructure and industrial projects had increased by over 150 per cent from 2014 to 2023, citing a Centre for Science and Environment report. The minister added in his reply that forest land was allowed for non-forestry use in unavoidable circumstances with 'adequate mitigation measures including raising of compensatory afforestation and payment of net present value'. As per the minister's reply, linear infrastructure projects such as power transmission lines accounted for diversion of 17,232.69 hectares of forest land. The ministry also approved 14,968.14 hectares of forest land for defence projects. Railway projects accounted for 7,998 hectares of forest land diversion, whereas 2,644 hectares were diverted for the thermal power sector. For the 'others' category, 9,669.85 hectares of forest land were diverted and 346.84 hectares for wind power. 'The process of approvals for diversion of forest land for various non-forestry purposes under Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvarshan) Adhiniyam, 1980 is a continuous process. During the period from 2014-15 to 2023-24, the forest area measuring 173984.3 ha. has been approved to be used for various non-forestry purposes, including infrastructure and industrial projects under the provisions of Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980,' the minister stated in his reply. Under the Van Adhiniyam 1980, project proponents have to obtain approval from the ministry's forest advisory committee before using or diverting forest land for non-forestry activities. An empowered committee of the ministry's regional offices scrutinises projects in categories such as linear projects consisting of pipelines, railways, roadways and power lines. An award-winning journalist with 14 years of experience, Nikhil Ghanekar is an Assistant Editor with the National Bureau [Government] of The Indian Express in New Delhi. He primarily covers environmental policy matters which involve tracking key decisions and inner workings of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He also covers the functioning of the National Green Tribunal and writes on the impact of environmental policies on wildlife conservation, forestry issues and climate change. Nikhil joined The Indian Express in 2024. Originally from Mumbai, he has worked in publications such as Tehelka, Hindustan Times, DNA Newspaper, News18 and Indiaspend. In the past 14 years, he has written on a range of subjects such as sports, current affairs, civic issues, city centric environment news, central government policies and politics. ... Read More
The Print
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Over 1.73 lakh ha forest land diverted for infra projects from 2014 to 2024: Govt
The highest diversion of forest land during this period was for mining and quarrying activities, which were allowed to use 40,096.17 hectares. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said that 1,73,984.3 hectares of forest land were approved for various non-forestry purposes between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2024, under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, now amended and renamed as Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land have been approved for diversion for non-forestry purposes across India from 2014 to 2024, with mining and hydropower projects emerging as the leading contributors, the environment ministry informed Parliament on Monday. These included a wide range of extractive activities that continue to remain one of the biggest drivers of forest clearance across mineral-rich regions, especially in central and eastern India. Hydropower and irrigation projects together accounted for the second-highest diversion, with 40,138.31 hectares of forest land approved for such purposes. These include large and small dams, canals, reservoirs and associated infrastructure. The information was provided in response to a question by Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who referred to the 2023 State of India's Environment Report by think tank Centre for Science and Environment. The report claimed that forest clearances for infrastructure and industrial projects increased by more than 150 per cent between 2014 and 2023. According to the government data, linear infrastructure projects such as road construction and power transmission lines were also among the top contributors. Forest land diverted for road development amounted to 30,605.69 hectares, while transmission lines used up 17,232.69 hectares. Defence projects involving security infrastructure and border-related development works accounted for 14,968.14 hectares of diverted forest land. The category listed as 'Others', which includes miscellaneous or unclassified uses not covered in standard categories, accounted for 9,669.85 hectares. Railway projects were sanctioned 7,998.65 hectares of forest land, making it another significant sector of diversion, particularly for expansion and electrification works. Projects involving the conversion of forest villages into revenue villages, a longstanding demand under the Forest Rights Act and other policies, used 3,250 hectares of land. Thermal power projects were approved on 2,644.02 hectares of forest land, while rehabilitation and resettlement schemes received clearance on 1,580.55 hectares. Projects related to drinking water supply, including pipeline networks and treatment plants, accounted for 1,282.21 hectares. Optical fibre cable laying, which generally involves underground or shallow surface work along road or railway alignments, led to the diversion of 437.63 hectares. Pipeline projects were approved on 543.57 hectares, while industry-related clearances, including those for industrial estates or standalone units, covered 405.82 hectares. Wind power installations accounted for 346.84 hectares, and village electrification initiatives used 551.13 hectares of forest land. Dispensaries and hospitals were allocated 113.31 hectares, and educational institutions, including schools and colleges, were constructed on 83.46 hectares of forest land. Substations took up 76.14 ha of forest land, solar power 1.57 ha, encroachments regularised under certain policies 9.63 ha, and communication posts 6.54 ha. A marginal amount of land (0.11 ha) was approved for rainwater harvesting structures, and 0.59 hectares was used for telecommunication lines. The minister said the process of forest land diversion is continuous and permitted only in 'unavoidable circumstances' with adequate mitigation measures. PTI GVS RHL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Govt claims 1.73 lakh hectares forest land diverted for infra projects from 2014 to 2024
Over the past decade, India has diverted 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land for non-forestry purposes, primarily driven by mining, quarrying, hydropower, and irrigation projects. Linear infrastructure projects like road construction and power transmission lines also significantly contributed to this diversion. The government maintains that such diversions occur only under unavoidable circumstances, with necessary mitigation measures in place. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Over 1.73 lakh hectares of forest land have been approved for diversion for non-forestry purposes across India from 2014 to 2024, with mining and hydropower projects emerging as the leading contributors, the environment ministry informed Parliament on to a question in the Lok Sabha , Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said that 1,73,984.3 hectares of forest land were approved for various non-forestry purposes between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2024, under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, now amended and renamed as Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, highest diversion of forest land during this period was for mining and quarrying activities, which were allowed to use 40,096.17 included a wide range of extractive activities that continue to remain one of the biggest drivers of forest clearance across mineral-rich regions, especially in central and eastern and irrigation projects together accounted for the second-highest diversion, with 40,138.31 hectares of forest land approved for such purposes. These include large and small dams, canals, reservoirs and associated to the government data, linear infrastructure projects such as road construction and power transmission lines were also among the top land diverted for road development amounted to 30,605.69 hectares, while transmission lines used up 17,232.69 information was provided in response to a question by Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, who referred to the 2023 State of India's Environment Report by think tank Centre for Science and report claimed that forest clearances for infrastructure and industrial projects increased by more than 150 per cent between 2014 and projects involving security infrastructure and border-related development works accounted for 14,968.14 hectares of diverted forest category listed as "Others", which includes miscellaneous or unclassified uses not covered in standard categories, accounted for 9,669.85 hectares. Railway projects were sanctioned 7,998.65 hectares of forest land, making it another significant sector of diversion, particularly for expansion and electrification involving the conversion of forest villages into revenue villages, a longstanding demand under the Forest Rights Act and other policies, used 3,250 hectares of power projects were approved on 2,644.02 hectares of forest land, while rehabilitation and resettlement schemes received clearance on 1,580.55 related to drinking water supply, including pipeline networks and treatment plants, accounted for 1,282.21 fibre cable laying, which generally involves underground or shallow surface work along road or railway alignments, led to the diversion of 437.63 projects were approved on 543.57 hectares, while industry-related clearances, including those for industrial estates or standalone units, covered 405.82 power installations accounted for 346.84 hectares, and village electrification initiatives used 551.13 hectares of forest and hospitals were allocated 113.31 hectares, and educational institutions, including schools and colleges, were constructed on 83.46 hectares of forest took up 76.14 ha of forest land, solar power 1.57 ha, encroachments regularised under certain policies 9.63 ha, and communication posts 6.54 ha.A marginal amount of land (0.11 ha) was approved for rainwater harvesting structures, and 0.59 hectares was used for telecommunication minister said the process of forest land diversion is continuous and permitted only in "unavoidable circumstances" with adequate mitigation measures.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Time of India
NGT notice over ‘illegal' Sundargarh forest land transfer
1 2 Cuttack: National Green Tribunal (NGT), East Zone Bench in Kolkata, on Wednesday issued notices to the state govt, the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC), and the Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) over the alleged illegal transfer of 6.36 acres of forest land to private companies in Sundargarh district. The order came after a petition was filed by three local residents — Pradeep Kumar Das, Ramakanta Biswal, and Patel Lakra — who claimed that IDCO provisionally allotted 'gramya jungle' (village forest land) in Kalokudar to two private companies for establishing steel, iron, and ferro-alloys units. The land falls under a Schedule V area and reportedly has dense forest cover. Scheduled areas have special provisions for the administration and protection of tribal communities. Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy represented the petitioners. The bench, comprising Justice B Amit Sthalekar (Judicial Member) and Dr Arun Kumar Verma (Expert Member), observed that the matter "requires consideration" and directed all respondents to file their counter-affidavits within four weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for Aug 21, 2025. The petitioners alleged that the transfer and construction activity were carried out without the mandatory prior approval of the central govt under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and also violated the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 2023. The petition also mentioned a letter dated Feb 24 written by one of the petitioners to the divisional forest officer (DFO), Rourkela, seeking cancellation of the land allotment. Acting on it, the DFO-cum-wildlife warden issued a direction on Mar 6 asking the companies to stop all construction activities. However, the petitioners claim that work continued in violation of forest laws. Among the state authorities issued notices to file replies within four weeks are the additional chief secretary, forest and environment department, managing director of IDCO, Sundargarh collector, Lathikata tehsildar and divisional forest officer-cum-wildlife warden (Rourkela forest division). The tribunal also issued notices to the two private companies.
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Centre asks Assam govt to take action against officer over illegal forest land use
Guwahati: The union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) has directed the Assam government to take action against a senior state official for allegedly allowing illegal construction inside a reserve forest in Hailakandi district, in violation of provisions under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. Yadava had approved the construction of the second commando battalion of Assam Police in October 2021. (HT File Photo) MK Yadava, who was the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), head of forest force (HoFF), and special chief secretary (forests) of the Assam government, was accused of permitting the diversion of 11.5 hectares of land inside Damchera Inner Line Reserve Forest in Assam for the construction of a commando battalion, without obtaining prior permission from the Centre. Yadava had approved the construction of the second commando battalion of Assam Police in October 2021. The Shillong-based regional office of MoEFCC issued a letter to the Assam government on May 25 stating, 'MK Yadava, the then PCCF and HoFF, Assam, had no authority to grant permission for clearing the forest land for non-forest activity without the prior permission of central government.' Directing the state government to submit a report on action taken regarding litigations pending before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the letter further stated, 'Government of Assam is hereby authorised to take legal action against the offender and furnish an action taken a period of 45 days.' The letter, written by Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Central) Pee Lee Ete, noted that the diversion was allowed without prior approval, and 'for conservation and protection of not legally tenable.' HT has seen a copy of the letter. The letter explained that while the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam permits the construction of bare minimum operational buildings for forest management—such as check gates, single-lane untarred roads, and huts for guards—without prior permission from the Centre, approval is required for large structures that could impact conservation. A MoEFCC team that inspected the area found that construction was ongoing in full swing, with permanent structures covering a plinth area of around 30,000 square metres being built over 11.5 hectares, the letter said. Officials from the Assam Police Housing Corporation informed the team that around 50% of construction for some of the proposed battalion buildings had already been completed. 'The activities amount to gross violation of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam and rules, guidelines and notifications framed thereunder, and it is also against the legal principles framed by the courts and tribunals,' the letter read. Also Read: NGT directs Assam govt to clear 4200 ha of encroached forest land in Kamrup (M) It added that the submissions given by Yadava and the Assam government in response to the show-cause notices issued by MoEFCC were 'not satisfactory' and 'failed to prove not guilty.' The Assam government has not taken any action against Yadava so far, and the 45-day deadline given by MoEFCC to take action and submit a report will expire on July 13, an official requesting anonymity said. The letter also noted that the offence is punishable under Sections 3A and 3B of the Van (Sanrakshan and Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, read with Rule 15(3) of the Van (Sanrakshan and Samvardhan) Rules, 2023. Violation of the Act can result in imprisonment for a maximum period of 15 days.
