(a) whether the Government proposes to relax forest laws to construct pucca roads, develop irrigation facilities and construct school buildings in tribal dominant villages located in forest; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
(a) whether the Government proposes to relax forest laws to construct pucca roads, develop irrigation facilities and construct school buildings in tribal dominant villages located in forest; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) & (b) No Madam. However, to facilitate smooth processing, the Central Government has granted general approval under section 2(ii) of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 to the State Government to undertake various activities to be undertaken on forest land for development works by the State Government agencies involving forest land, having 50 trees per hectare, upto 1.00 ha which includes construction / widening of roads including construction of approach roads to road side establishment and drinking water projects, water / rainwater structure and minor irrigation facilities. For the districts affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), which has predominantly tribal population, this general approval has been granted for area up to 5.00 ha and all two lane roads irrespective of the forest land involved.
The guideline issued in this regard dated 13.02.2014 is enclosed as Annexure-A.
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