Construction in tribal areas gets Govt green signal

In a letter dated January 3, sent to state principal secretaries (forests), the Ministry has asked them to clear construction of schools, hospitals, minor irrigation canals, rainwater harvesting structures, overhead electric and communication lines, power sub-stations, vocational training centres and even police stations and outposts in ‘‘tribal villages/forest fringe villages.’’

The letter lists 11 construction activities. The only stipulation is that the forest land diverted for these activities should be less than one hectare and should not involve felling of more than 50 trees per hectare.

But it does not limit the number of projects, paving the way for a slew of construction activity. The forest land will be handed over to government departments and then proposals will be invited from agencies.

‘‘The government is committed to delegating more powers to the state government for developmental activity for the larger good. If necessary, in consultation with state governments and subject to judicial pendency, we will also look at amending the law,’’ said Environment Minister A Raja.

His ministry, in fact, is miffed that it doesn’t have a larger role to play in the framing of the Scheduled Tribes and Forest Dwellers (recognition of Forest Rights) Bill to be placed in Parliament this session.

The bill grants land rights to tribal communities living in forest areas. In an earlier letter sent to all chief secretaries last December, the Ministry, as an interim measure, had said that tribals and forest dwellers should be spared from eviction drives.

‘‘The Central government believes that development and conservation should go hand in hand… development of tribal villages/forest fringe villages can be ensured by providing basic and essential developmental facilities… It is imperative that for the creation of these facilities in forest/fringe areas, most of the land requirement would have to be met from the forest lands,’’ said the letter issued to the states.

The Ministry had taken a tentative step in this direction in October when it allowed laying of underground electricity cables and water pipelines.

To keep conservationists happy, the guidelines say that the user agency will be responsible for any loss to the flora and fauna in the area and will have to maintain twice the number of trees felled on the site. The guideline also says that this kind of developmental activity will educate the masses and in turn lead to the regeneration and restoration of forests. The Ministry, however, has spared protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries and national parks by saying that the project site should be outside these sites.