Use of Forest Land for developmental purposes

The SAC gave major impetus to developmental activities in the State by providing forest clearance to various developmental projects in the road, railways, transmission, health, drinking water and other sectors involving 153.18 Ha of forest land spread across the State. The proposals were recommended by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), headed by the Chief Secretary in its 105th, 107^th and 108^th FAC meetings.

Among other projects, the SAC accorded approval to the prestigious project of AIIMS at Vijaypur, Ring Road Srinagar, 14 projects of PMGSY, 02 projects pertaining to GREF and the Army. Another project which was cleared was regarding the laying of 132 KV transmission line from Grid Station Katra to Gran (Reasi) for Konkan Railways.

The FAC in its 105^th meeting had approved diversion of forest land for development works viz Road from Pathwar to Thathi (Jammu), Road from Chalog to Dhaman (Basholi), Road from Purana Tulail to Dangithal and from LO – 26 to Safaid Aab (Bandipore), Road from Dhaino to Papriya (Batote), Road from Malla to Jogwan (Jammu), Ring Road Srinagar City and Tunnel T-6 to T-12 on Katra Dharma Section (Mahore) etc.

 The FAC in its 107^th meeting had approved diversion of forest land for development works viz construction of road from Juthal to Manoh (Jammu), road from Mankal to Mudva (Langate) and for the purpose of laying of 132 KV D/C Transmission Line from Grid Station Katra to Gran (Reasi) for Konkan Railways etc.

The FAC in its 108^th meeting had approved diversion of forest land for development works viz widening of CL-9 road Dogra Mandir Parole Janial Bamial to NHDL (Kathua), Road from Panssa to Prankote (Reasi), Road from Cherji to Sumnabhatta (Kishtwar), Road from Shivas (Sohal) to Ongayee (Kishtwar), Road from Pethgam to Renai (Kishtwar), Road from Sohal to Kaban (Kishtwar), Road from Jangalwar to Sarsi (Kishtwar), Road from Kachnambal to Wangath via Baba Nagri (Sindh Forest) and Road from Bhargran to Behota (Batote) etc.

Further, the SAC directed the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department undertake a comprehensive physical and financial audit of the CAMPA works through the Monitoring and Evaluation wing in the PCCFs office.