(a) whether a proposal submitted by Government of Kerala for afforestation of 534 hectares of land for Thiruvananthapuram Water Supply Scheme is pending before the Chief Conservator of Forests(Central);
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which it is likely to be given clearance?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS
(SHRI BABU LAL MARANDI)
(a) & (b) The State Govt. of Kerala submitted a proposal vide letter No.20201/C2/91/F & WLD dated 22.6.1998 to Chief Conservator of Forests (Central), Bangalore for diversion of 267 ha forestland for Peppara dam (II stage) in Thiruvananthapuram district. In the proposal it was mentioned that Kerala Water Authority was prepared to bear the cost afforestation on double forest area (=534 ha) to be utilized for the proposed project. The C.C.F.(C), Bangalore, vide letter No.F(CA/11.4/1/KER dated 27.7.1998 returned the proposal to the State Government with advice to submit the proposal directly to the Ministry of Environment & Forests, New Delhi as per mandatory guidelines. However the proposal has not been received so far in this Ministry.
(d) Question does not arise.