(a) whether the Forest Advisory Committee of the Ministry has sanctioned hydro-power
projects recently in the country;
(b) if so, the details of the hydro-power projects sanctioned by the Forest Advisory
Committee, State-wise;
(c) whether the Forest Advisory Committee has made it compulsory to obtain sanction
from the State Wildlife Board for some projects out of the sanctioned hydro-power
projects in the country; and
(d) if so, the details of such hydro-power projects?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI
NATARAJAN)
(a) to (d) The Forest Advisory Committee has not sanctioned any hydro power projects in
the recent past nor does it have any such power. The Section 3 of the Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980 provides for constitution of the Forest Advisory Committee to
advise the Government with regards to grant of approval under Section 2 of the Act and
on other matters that may be referred to it by the Government.
However, the Committee has recommended certain proposals for diversion of forest land for
hydro electric projects in the recent past.
The hydroelectric projects seeking diversion of forest land from Protected Areas like
National Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves as well as those projects requiring environmental
clearance and falling within eco-sensitive zone of such Protected Areas notified under
Environment (Protection) Act 1986, or within 10 km radius thereof in absence such a
notification, require approval from the concerned State Board for Wildlife.
The State-wise details of hydroelectric projects recommended by the Committee during
last two quarters, i.e. September 2012 to March 2013, are as below:
S.No. Name of the Name of the Whether approval from State Hydel Project concerned State Board for Wildlife required or not.
1. Sikkim Teesta Stage IV Yes
2. Arunachal Pradesh Tawang II No
3. Himachal Pradesh Luhri No