Rajya Sabha
The Central Government has received request from the Government of Kerala for approval of diversion of forest land for resettlement of tribal families. The Ministry of Environment & Forests has informed that the district-wise break up of the forest land identified by the State Government and required for the purpose of diversion under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for resettlement of tribals is as below: -
S. No. | District | Forest Area (hectare) |
1. | Wayanad | 3,008.080 |
2. | Kannur | 83.000 |
3. | Kasargod | 37.203 |
4. | Malappuram | 203.640 |
5. | Palakkad | 4,361.3027 |
Total | 7,693.2257 |
The number of families to whom the diverted forest land is to be given and is to be decided by the State Government.
On the basis of the proposal submitted by the State Government, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, has accorded approval in February, 2004 for diversion of 7,693.2257 hectares of forest land under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for resettlement of tribals in the State of Kerala subject to payment of Net Present Value of the diverted forest land as required for the compliance of the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has also advised the State Government to provide land to the landless tribals, if necessary by purchasing land from private owners, from TSP and other funds.
This information was given by Shri P.R. Kyndiah, Minister of Tribal Affairs to the question raised by Shri A. Vijayaraghavan and Shri K. Chandran Pillai in the Rajya Sabha today.