Question raised in Lok Sabha on Afforestation in Degraded Forest, 28/03/2017
Question raised in Lok Sabha on Afforestation in Degraded Forest, 28/03/2017. Compensatory afforestation is one of the most important conditions stipulated by the Central Government while approving proposals for de-reservation or diversion of forest land for non-forest uses. It not only compensate loss in the forest cover and forest land but also acts as a major disincentive for project projects to seek diversion of forest land for nonsite specific activities, and thus ensure that diversion of forest land is sought only for unavoidable site specific activities. The Land being a State subject, Central Government Departments and Central Government Undertakings generally do not own land which may be made available for compensatory afforestation. To expedite grant of approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land required for Central Government/Central Government Undertaking projects, which normally are implemented for larger public good, as a special provision for such projects, guidelines issued by the Ministry provides that compensatory afforestation may be raised on degraded forest land twice in extent of forest area being diverted.