Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Forest land area diverted for development projects, 13/08/2015
Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Forest land area diverted for development projects, 13/08/2015. During last five years and current year, the Central Government has accorded approvals over 1,84,393 ha of forest land in 7,716 cases for various developmental activities including developmental activities in urban areas. State wise details of approvals granted by the Central Government for use of forest land for such activities is given at Annexure-I. In terms of the State CAMPA Guidelines as approved by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in IA No. 2143 in Writ Petition (Civil) No.202/1995 titled T N GodavarmanThirumalpad Vs UOI, Annual Plans of Operation for undertaking various forestry related activities from out of the funds deposited in the Compensatory Afforestation Fund/CAMPA account, are furnished by the States/Uts. The Annual Plans of Operation also include not only activities for compensatory afforestation in lieu of forest land diverted for non-forestry use under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, but also for assisted natural regeneration and regeneration of degraded forests, in addition to other activities for conservation and protection of forests and wildlife. The details of funds released to the CAMPA constituted in terms of the above Guidelines, to various States/UTs in the years 2010-11 to 2014-15 are shown in the statement enclosed, as Annexure- II, The details of compensatory afforestation done in the 21 States/UTs in respect of which information has become available, is shown in the statement at Annexure-III.