Projects in Tribal Areas

As per information received from the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), the guidelines issued by MoEF on 3.08.2009 on diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 - ensuring compliance of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 has been revised on 5.02.2013. Projects like construction of roads, canals, laying of pipe lines/optical fibres and transmission lines etc. where linear diversion of forest land in several villages are involved unless recognized rights of PTG/PAC are being affected have been exempted from the requirement of obtaining consent of the concerned Gram Sabha(s) to the proposed diversion.

The guidelines issued by MoEF on 03.08.2009 on diversion of forest land for non -forest purpose is regarding ensuring compliance of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. The condition of carrying out the complete process for identification and settlement of rights under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 for the entire forest area proposed for diversion has to be complied with for all the projects and the letter dated 5.2.2013 of MoEF makes no exception regarding fulfillment of this condition.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Smt. Ranee Narah in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

***

PKM/DB