Tuesday, 13 July 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
Various recommendations were made in a meeting of the forest department with the Government of India’s regional office for expediting forest land transfer cases in the state.
In the meeting chaired by the principal chief conservator of forests (head of forest force) Rajiv Bhartari that since creation of Uttarakhand 777 approvals in principle and 3,659 formal approvals- total of 4,436 approvals were granted for forest land transfer. Majority of these approvals- 2,800 were granted for road related works. In 2020-21, 243 approvals in principle and 116 formal approvals have been granted. Bhartari asked the regional office officials what more the state government could do to ensure timely approval for forest land transfer proposals.
The officials told him that at the field level the divisional forest officer/forest conservator need to lay special focus on forest land transfer proposals under the Forest Act so that objections are not raised from the Government of India level on these proposals. It was suggested that each proposal be listed as per the centre’s check list in serial order along with online uploading the presentation of the hard copy.
Attempt should be made to ensure minimum cutting of oak trees. The officials stressed on the need for special focus on the execution of debris disposal plan. The soil factor should be taken into consideration while preparing the said plan.
