CM writes to PM for amendment in Forest Conservation Act
| Date :05-Jul-2019 |
Staff Reporter:
RAIPUR
Highlighting the plight of forest dwellers, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Central Government to take necessary steps to include establishment of non-polluting micro and small industrial units and 1-5 MW solar power projects, within the ambit of Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in his letter to the Prime Minister said that Chhattisgarh has a forest cover of 44 per cent and the State has the pride of being called as ‘Green State’, which provides clean air to a large part of the country. However, due to this huge forest cover, the life of forest dwellers and people residing in forested zone is very difficult.
The proliferation of activities like agriculture, trade, service sector, communication and transportation have a very limited scope due to stringent norms of Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Due to these pertaining problems, removing poverty and increasing income as well as uplifting lifestyle of people residing in these areas becomes a very challenging aim. Out of the 10 Aspirational Districts in the State, nine districts are under forest cover. Baghel in his letter to PM Modi, said that it is the responsibility of the State Government to bring prosperity in the lives of forest dwellers but it could be possible with the cooperation of Central Government only.
In order to bring a positive change in the lives of people residing in these places, it is necessary to include establishment of non-polluting minor and small industrial units like minor forest produce processing, agriculture processing and food processing units, within the ambit of Forest Conservation Act by making necessary amendment in the Act and include these activities into the Horticulture head, so that it can pave way for establishment of such units in these forested zones.
Due to difficult topographical situation, providing uninterrupted power supply to the people residing in these regions is very difficult. Without power, economic progress of any community is not possible. In order to solve this problem, permission should be granted for establishment of 1-5MW solar power projects in those regions apart from preparing a special work-plan for providing quality power supply under Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Also in this direction, provisions should be amended into the Forest Conservation Act, wherein, establishment of solar energy projects should be categorised under Green Activity. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel further urged PM Modi that if both these points are considered at your level and necessary initiative is taken by the Central Government in this direction, the people residing in forested zones can also reap the benefit of development.