Over 300 projects receive forest clearance in J&K

JAMMU: In a significant push to infrastructure and economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir, over 300 development projects, pending clearances at different stages, have received forest clearances.

From key road networks to water supply schemes, tourism, defence and 4G saturation, these approvals will pave the way for enhanced connectivity, economic progress and improved public services.

A total of 302 cases have received final approval and 84 cases have received In-Principle approval from the government between January to March this year. The signifies government’s broader vision of development, prioritising projects that address long-standing infrastructural gaps and further improve the public services.

Delay in land acquisition and forest clearances were some of the reasons for these projects being stalked or running behind schedule and at times leading to cost overruns. A number of projects related to road development have been granted approval, enabling timely implementation of key initiatives.

The diversion of forest land will support construction and improvement of roadways, including highways and local roads. These roads are vital for enhancing connectivity and facilitating the movement of people and goods across Jammu and Kashmir.

Major road and highway projects approved recently included clearance of the remaining patch of Package-17 of Delhi-Katra Expressway in Jammu, Kishtwar-Nildori-Bangus-Gali-Lokut-Bangus Dangiyari Road in Kupwara district by BRO, Jallary to Badharket Khaitan road by PWD in Poonch district.

Additionally, the forest land has been cleared for establishment of various water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission. These projects aim to provide safe and adequate drinking water to every household, especially in rural and remote areas.

The approval for these schemes will contribute significantly towards improving the water infrastructure, making water more accessible to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

Across the UT of J&K, in the past three months, 271 Water Supply Schemes have been approved in 7 districts of J&K including Baramulla, Budgam, Doda, Jammu, Kishtwar, Ramban and Udhampur.

Further, in order to ensure 4G Saturation under USOF, 11 proposals for construction of communication towers and 4 proposals for laying of OFC have been approved recently across 8 districts of J&K.

In line with the Forest (Conservation) Act, compensatory afforestation will be undertaken for the forest land diverted for these projects. This will include reforestation of degraded forest land to maintain ecological balance and mitigate any potential environmental impact caused by these developmental activities.

These environmental clearances have been approved following a high level meeting between J&K Minister, Javed Ahmed Rana and Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, in New Delhi in January 2025.

Rana had urged the Union Minister to expedite clearance of over 400 pending cases under the Forest Conservation Act related to various projects, which were awaiting approval at the regional office.

The Union Minister had assured that the proposals would be considered on priority and necessary steps would be taken to expedite the approvals and fund allocations.

However, the clearances also come with environmental considerations, ensuring a balance between development and sustainability.

Javed Ahmed Rana, while reiterating the government’s commitment towards expanding opportunities for growth and modernising infrastructure across the Union Territory, directed the authorities to undertake aggressive compensatory afforestation to arrest any ecological imbalance.

“We will ensure that ecological balance is maintained and steps have been taken to ensure that forest area is not reduced and compensatory land is provided by the concerned authorities for afforestation,” he said. If we are using forest area for any developmental project, the same amount of forest land will be given for compensatory afforestation, he added.

Rana further said that government is determined to ensure that all development initiatives are executed with minimal environmental disruption. The Forest Department is working closely with other concerned authorities to expedite implementation of these crucial projects, he maintained.