Government allowed diversion of over 12 lakh hect forest area

NEW DELHI: The Centre has granted permission for diversion of over 12 lakh hectares of forest area since 1980 to be used for other than forestry related activities, Lok Sabha was informed today.

"Since October 10, 1980, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has granted approval for diversion of 12,05,138 hectares of forest land for non-forestry purposes in total 23,784 number of cases," Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said.

In a written reply, the Minister said afforestation activities were carried out against the loss of forest land.

Javadekar also said under the Green India Mission, there was a component to encourage plantation on farmers' lands covering 7.57 lakh hectare land in the entire country at the cost of Rs 20,000 per hectare in the 12th Five Year Plan.