Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to accelerate key development projects, a high-level coordination meeting was held today, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Home, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Shri Satyabrata Sahu. The meeting aimed to address and resolve bottlenecks in the processing of forest clearance proposals, ensuring faster decision-making without compromising conservation safeguards.
The meeting brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including senior officials from the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, such as Dr. K. Murugesan, Addl. PCCF (Nodal), Sri A. K. Kar, CCF (Nodal), and Sri Lingaraj Ota, OSD cum special Secretary. Also in attendance were Director, Geological Survey of India, Sri J.P. Mahakud, Chief Engineer, Construction, South Eastern Railway, Sri Veerendra Singh, and the Regional Officer, National Highway Authority of India, along with representatives of various project proponents.
ACS Shri Sahu emphasized the need for strengthening inter-departmental coordination, streamlining procedures, and ensuring timely compliance with statutory norms. He directed Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCFs), Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), and other field-level officers to proactively identify and communicate potential hurdles at an early stage to prevent project delays.
While stressing the importance of balancing developmental imperatives with ecological priorities, Shri Sahu sent a clear message that conservation norms would not be compromised and that the development process would not be stalled.
Major issues that often delay clearances were discussed, including the settlement of rights under the Forest Rights Act, compensatory afforestation requirements, and accurate demarcation of forest land.
ACS Shri Sahu highlighted the need for technology-driven solutions, such as GIS-based mapping and digital monitoring of proposals, to ensure a time-bound process.
To ensure continuous progress, Shri Sahu announced that a high-level meeting would be held on the 12th of every month under his chairmanship to address pending projects under PMG Pragati (Project Monitoring Group).
The meeting also decided to hold regular coordination exercises with the Chief Secretary to track progress and address emerging issues. Dedicated nodal officers would be appointed to expedite forest diversion proposals.
The government’s goal, as expressed by ACS Shri Sahu, is to provide a boost to infrastructure and industrial projects through faster and more transparent clearances, while also safeguarding the interests of local communities and maintaining ecological balance.