Three million trees. That is the number that was approved to be felled last year for mining and irrigation projects by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Experts say this may be the largest number of trees cleared to be axed in one year. The usual figure is one-fourth that.

Some 15,000 hectares of forest land are to be cleared for 49 forthcoming projects, including mining, irrigation and windmills. According to experts, this would mean dense forest approximately one-fifth of the size of the Corbett National Park.

And this figure does not include trees being cleared for public sector works or other projects requiring less than 40 hectares of land, for which the proposal need not come to the Central Government.

For now, these three million trees are still standing. Even though all the projects have been approved, they are being examined by a Central Empowered Committee set up by the Supreme Court.

In one of its reports, the court said: “Each and every proposal received under the Forest Conservation Act is ultimately found eligible for approval with standard conditions, even when individual projects involve felling more than a million trees.”

Under the Forest Conservation Act, whenever a diversion of more than 40 hectares of forest land is required for a project, it comes to the MoEF. A Forest Advisory Committee goes through each of the proposals and suggests necessary safeguards before approving them.

The contention of the Central Empowered Committee is that these clearances are being given regardless of available alternatives, the number of trees involved, the damage to flora and fauna and the sensitivity of the area. It has recommended a re-examination of the projects.

... contd.