Forestry clearance case submission became pre-condition for applying TOR as per MoEF Office Memorandum issued on 31st March, 2011- How it is possible to freeze the forest land case for Hydropower projects without getting Survey & Investigation clearance from MoEF, - Share your views
Replies
Dear sir,
you have started a very good discussion. I would like to add some points on it:
Preparation of forest clearance proposal requires lots of information viz. purpose wise break up of total land required, Cost benefit analysis and Rehabilitation plan these information are available only after approval of TOR and completion of EIA/EMP studies.
so in that case it is not feasible to submit a accurate forest land diversion application without getting the ToR approval from MoEF, particularly for the projects located in the north-eastern part of India (Arunachal Pradesh) where land ownership records are not available. How to resolve this dilemma please express your views.......
Dear Sir,
Gud morning,
Initially i was also under this thought that this OM is mainly for mining project but it is not true & the fact is that it is applicable for all projects which involves forest land whether it is mining project or any thing else.
As for as concern of explaining to appraisal committee that will only happens when your application for TOR is accepted by the MoEF which is not happening MoEF is straight forward returning the proposal by saying that your project reqiures..... X ha forest land hence you first apply for Forest Clearance then come for TOR.
Again question comes how i can prepare forest land case without S&I and without S&I how i can freez the project component & without that how i can prepare forest land case ........ endless loop.??????
BIJAN KUMAR MISHRA said:
Dear Sir,
Find the link ..... http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/EC-forest-land.pdf
DR. KAWALJEET SINGH said:
I agree with your statement but probably MoEF has meant this circular for mining projects in particular. As the TOR for industries are to be scrutinized for the alternate sites from sitting criteria of age old 1985 and other burning issues of the locals, so unless the site is freezed or as you have truly pointed out the matter of hydro power projects the pproject roponent shall not be able to find out the involvement of patch of forest land and thus helpless.
But these things can be explained to the appraisal committee and I personally experienced that they are quite considerate to understand the matter. At the same time propject proponent should also have a propoer due dilliegence of the land use pattern in the study area through satellite imegary and put the information in the TOR presentation to anounce in advance the involvement or non-involvement of the forest alnd to the project.