The Centre has approved two forest projects in Karnataka which were pending since 1970. The projects are the diversion of 881 hectares of forest land due to the 400 KW Kaiga Nuclear Power Transmission and settlement of 154 tribal families of Mysore involving diversion of 200 hectares of forest land. The latter falls under the Kabini Mini Project and Bandipur National Park. According to Union Minister for Environment and Forests T R Baalu, these projects were given approval in the last two to three months. Briefing presspersons after visiting the Indian Plywood Research and Training Institute here today, Mr Baalu noted that at Rs 5,000 crore, the allocation for his ministry under the 10th Five Year Plan is almost double the amount (Rs 2,049 crore) received under the previous plan, and said it would help the afforestation drive.