Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 7: Pursuant to clearance of Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved diversion of more than 10 hectare of forest land for various Water Supply Schemes (WSS) in Doda and Udhampur districts.
Additionally, clearance has been given for diversion of 1.23 hectare of forest land of Social Forestry Division Baramulla for Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri road.
After a high level meeting of Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav and JK Forest Minister Javed Rana held last week, MoEFCC moved promptly and expedited Phase-III clearance of the projects on 1st February and accordingly JK Forest Department has approved diversion of requisitioned forest land subject to compensatory afforestation.
It is pertinent to mention that Javed Ahmed Rana, had recently met Union Forest Minister in New Delhi and urged him to expedite the clearance of pending cases under the Forest Conservation Act related to Jal Jeevan Mission, awaiting Phase-III clearance at the regional office, so that water infrastructure projects in forested areas can be implemented without further delay. The Union Minister had acknowledged the concerns raised and assured full cooperation from the Central Government.
To expedite completion of Jal Jeevan Mission that aims to provide tap water connection to every household, six projects that have been cleared included Water Supply Schemes Chigla Balota, Chakal, Tikri, Kund, Chatrari besides improvement and augmentation of WSS Lalli.
The other schemes for which approval has been granted for use of forest land included WSS Mand, Kaghote, Jadsarkote, Krimchi Deli Chak, Malhar, Katti and Demnote-Radnote in Udhampur Forest Division.
In Doda Forest Division, seven projects that gained clearance included WSS Hanch Malna, Seel, Tantna, Aul Ugad, Mohalla, Jathali, and Jojote and three projects in Bhaderwah Forest Division including WSS Thalela, Southa and Puneja. The projects that have been cleared in Ramnagar Forest Division included WSS Balandh, Jandrari.
Forest Minister, Javed Rana, while commenting on the development said that the Government is committed to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections and the forest clearance is a step in that direction.
He directed the authorities to undertake aggressive compensatory afforestation to arrest any ecological imbalance, ensuring sustainable growth and infrastructure development.
The Minister highlighted that these projects had been carefully reviewed to ensure compliance with environmental norms, reflecting the Government’s balanced approach to development and conservation.
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