Question : USE OF FOREST FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES



(a) whether the Government has any proposal for appointment of an advisory committee for advising on proposals related to use of forests for industrial purposes;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the time by which it is likely to be set up?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) to (c) The Section-3 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 provides that the Central Government may constitute a Committee consisting of such number of persons as it may deem fit to advice the Government with regard to (i) the grant of approval under Section-2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; and (ii) any other matter connected with the conservation of forests, which may be referred to it by the Central Government.

The Rule-3 of the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003 provides that the Committee shall consist of four official and three non-official members. The Central Government vide order dated 3rd August 2012 reconstituted the Committee.