(a) whether small and medium irrigation projects from various States are pending with the Union Government for environmental/forest clearance;
(b) if so, details of such pending projects, project and State/UT-wise including Maharashtra; and
(c) the reasons for delay in granting environmental/ forest clearance along with the details of projects sanctioned during the current year, State/UT-wise including Uttar Pradesh?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) & (b) No small and medium irrigation projects from various States are pending with the Union Government for Environmental Clearance (EC). The Ministry consider the project/activities including irrigation projects for grant of EC as per timelines prescribed under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended from time to time.
As regards Forest Clearance, the proposals for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes are processed as per the provision of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Rules, and Guidelines framed there under. Proposals received from the States/UTs for various non forestry purposes are examined by the Central Government for their completeness. Prompt decision is taken by the Central Government on the proposals which are complete in all respect. At present 14 proposals from different States are at different stages of approval as per provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Rules, and Guidelines framed there under. The details are given at Annexure-I.
(c) No EC has been granted by the Ministry to small and medium irrigation project during the current financial year.A total of 7 nos. of proposals from different States have been accorded approval under Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 during the current financial year, as per details at Annexure II.
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