Question : Felling of Trees for Road Project in Assam

(a) whether around four lakh trees were felled for construction of four lane road from Bengal border to Lumding, Assam;
(b) if so, whether four lakh trees were supposed to be replanted which is not done so far;
(c) whether a huge amount was paid for re-plantation and if so, the details of funds released;
(d) whether the Government has issued any directions to the concerned authorities for re-plantation of trees in Assam and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whetherany criminal investigation has been initiated against the concerned officials for misappropriation of public fund; and
(f) if so, the details of the action taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) & (b): As per the information provided by the Government of Assam, the Ministry of Environment and Forests & Climate Change, Govt. of India has approved the use of 45 Ha. forest land under Lumding RF of Nagaon South Forest Division, Hojai and 70.4 Ha. underLongthingMopa RF under North Cachar Hills for upgradation and improvement of National Highway -54 under East West corridor project in favour of NHAI vide their letter No. F. No. 8-65/2007-FC, Dtd. 23.10.2010 and F. No. 8-30/2006-FC, Dtd. 23.10.2010 respectively. 13628 trees under Nagaon South Forest Division, Hojai and 2906 trees under Dima Hasao West Division of N.C. Hills were felled for construction of four lane road.

(c) & (d):In lieu of the use of the forest land for highway construction and felling of trees thereof, 240 Ha. Compensatory Afforestation in Nagaon South Division and 297 Ha.under Dima Hasao West Division have been carried out in 2011-12 and the same are been maintained till date under CAMPA scheme.The details of the fund released for the creation and maintenance of the plantation are given below:
Advance action & creation (2011-12) Rs. 4564500.00
1st, 2nd, 3rd and current Year Maintenance (2012-13 till June. 2015) Rs. 8635069.00

(e) & (f): Question does not arise.
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