Environment ministry exempts forest clearance rules for road development

07 Dec 2021 CW Team

The ministry of environment, forest and climate change has exempted the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and state road user agencies from forest clearance if the right of way (RoW) belongs to them.

The clarification released to state governments on October 26, 2021, by the MoEFCC's forest conservation division states that if the possession of land rests with MoRTH or NHAI or state road constructing agency, it is not a 'forest' according to the government records, and the same land is under 'non-forest use' before October 25, 1980, then terms of FCA would not apply.

Kishor Rithe, the state wildlife board member, told the media that the move would make way for unrestricted development and influence wildlife and its corridors.

The MoEFCC decision is based on a meeting of the group of infrastructure conducted on August 24 under the chairmanship of road transport minister Nitin Gadkari to address clarity on applicability of FCA over RoW roads, possession of which rests with the NHAI or state governments.

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