Bhubaneswar: The State Government has got approval from the Centre for diversion of 2540.691 hectares of forest land in between April to December of 2023-23.
According to official data, 2540.691 hectares of forest land has been diverted for execution of 18 developmental projects in the State during the period.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India have accorded approval for diversion of the above forest land for non-forestry purpose under section 2 of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, for different developmental projects.
Highest 1962.513 hectares of forest land has been diverted for implementation of five mining projects while 372.962 hectares of forest land diverted for two road & bridge projects and 133.459 hectares for four power transmission projects.
Similarly, 43.266 hectares of forest land has been diverted for three railway projects, while another 24.834 hectares diverted for three irrigation projects and 3.657 hectares for other projects.
Apart from the above forest diversion, the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change have accorded permission for exploratory drilling of minerals in forest land under section 2 of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
From 01.04.2022 to 31.12.2022, permission has been accorded for exploratory drilling of different minerals by five project proponents involving 55.341 hectares of forest land.
Moreover, 249.258 hectares of forest land were diverted for 623 projects under section 3(2) of the Forest Rights Act, during the period.
The Divisional Forest Officers are authorized to grant permission for diversion of forest land up to 1 hectares in each case and which involves felling of trees not exceeding 75 per hectare for small projects of Government Departments in 13 categories as envisaged under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
As per the data, 153.059 hectares of forest land diverted for 384 school projects, 26.530 hectares for execution of 118 drinking water supply projects and 37.407 hectares for 55 roads.
