Acting on the requests sent by the MHA, Planning Commission and several state governments, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh in an order signed on May 12 increased the present threshold limit of 2 hectares to 5 hectares of forest land on which the eight state govts will not require permission with reference to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The benefit will accrue to two districts of Andhra Pradesh, 7 in Bihar, 10 in Chhattisgarh, 14 in Jharkhand, 8 in Madhya Pradesh, 2 in Maharashtra, 15 in Orissa and one each in UP and West Bengal. Most of these 60 districts chosen for fast track development by the Centre are part of the 83 districts which also get Central funds for Security Related Expenditure.
The need for permission has been revoked on 13 infrastructure projects which the MHA, Planning Commission and states think are of public utility, including police establishments like police stations, watch towers and border outposts. Read the full report here.
Source: Manan Kumar, Express News Service, Express Buzz, New Delhi.
