MoEF nod for diversion of 19,655 ha of forest land

The Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) has given its nod for diversion of 19,655.08 hectares of forest land for industrialization and mining activities in Orissa till November this year.

The diversion of forest land has been done as per the Forest Conservation Act-1980. Compensatory afforestation has been taken up on 18,842.99 hectares of land, minister for forest & environment Debi Prasad Mishra said in a written reply in the state assembly.

The state has diverted 119.84 hectares (296.13 acres) of forest land in Angul district for the establishment of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL). Similarly, 1,253.22 hectares (3,096.77 acres) forest land has been given to Posco for setting up of mega steel plant in Jagatsinghpur district.

The state government has also given permission for diversion of forest land for Bhushan Steel Ltd at Lapanga (59.16 hectares), aluminium smelter and captive power plant of Aditya Aluminium Ltd-Sambalpur (119.84 hectares), Bhushan Steel & Strips Ltd in Angul and Dhenkanal districts (61.48 hectares), Shyam DRI Power Ltd at Pandoli in Sambalpur district (38.39 hectares) and Adhunik Metaliks-Rourkela (24.34 hectares).