(a) whether the State Government of Andhra Pradesh has sent a proposal to the Union Government for denotification of large extent of forest lands in Kurnool, Krishna/Guntur districts of the State; and
(b) if so, the details thereof including particulars of the proposed compensatory lands?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) & (b) The Government of Andhra Pradesh vide their letter dated 5.09.2015 had submitted a proposal seeking prior approval of the Central Government under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of 19,256.8 ha of forest land for development of a capital city in Guntur and Krishna Districts. The Government has taken a policy decision to allow forest diversion for creation of new state capital of a newly carved out state. The Central Government and State Government are in constant touch and the forest diversion proposal will be processed expeditiously on receipt of further details from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
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