Question : Diversion of Forest Land

(a) the details of each of the proposals sent to the Union Government by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for diversion of forest land for infrastructure projects in the new capital of Amaravati;
(b) the status of each of the above proposalsand the reasons for pendency of the same; and
(c) whether there has been a long delay in clearance of the said proposals by the Forest Advisory Committee, if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken with regard to proposals from the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) to (c) The details of eachproposal received from Government of Andhra Pradesh for infrastructure projects in the new capital of Amaravati and status thereof is annexed. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had received a total of 10 proposals from the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for seeking prior approval under Section-2 of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for infrastructure projects in the new capital of Amaravati. Out of these 10 proposals one proposal has been accorded Stage-I/(in-principle) approval, two proposals have been rejected and for the remaining seven proposals, State Government has been directed to submit revised proposals minimising diversion of forest land and providing justification for such diversion.

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