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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE REGIONAL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE (REC) CONVENED ON 18th JANUARY, 2016

AGENDA ITEM NO.1 (PUNJAB)

F.ND Name of the Project State Area U.A. Diversion of 14.70 ha (12.00 ha In Bathinda Forest Division + 2.70 ha In Mansa Forest Division) of forest land in

9­ favour of Chief Engineer, Northern Railway, PBC458­ Ambala Cantt. for doubling of Mansa­

2015­ Bathinda Railway Line from KM 256-296 CHA on Jakhal Bathinda Route of Northern

Railway under Forest Divisions and Districts Bathinda & Mansa respectively,

I Punjab

Punjab 14.70 ha Railways

The Regional Empowered Committee examined the proposed site of forest land to be diverted and proposed CA site on DSS (Decision Support System) based on GIS (Geographical Information System). Thereafter, discussed the above mentioned proposal and observed as below:

1. The proposal envisages diversion of 14.70 hectare (12.00 ha in Bathinda Forest Division + 2.70 ha in Mansa Forest Division) of forest land in favour of Chief Engineer, Northern Railway, Ambala Cantt. for doubling of Mansa-Bathinda Railway Line from KM 256-296 on ,Jakhal Bathinda Route of Northern Railway under Forest Divisions and Districts Bathinda & Mansa rcspectively, Punjab.

2. The proposal involves felling of 13?' trees in Bathinda Forest Division. 3. Compcnsatory Afforestation has been proposed on 24.00 hectare in BBC RD 421­

432 R/s (Bathinda Rangc), Bhai Bakhtaur Branch O-tail 8/s, Maur Branch RD 0­Tail B/s, BMB RD 252-258 B/s, Raghu Disty RD O-Tail B/s (Talwandi range), .

I.!>'~ ~ village Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda in Bathinda Forest Division and ~ ha in New --Dhandal Branch RD Khaira-Krandi road to tail B/s in Mansa Forest Divison. The Compensatory Afforestation scheme involves maintenance of plantation for ten years. The committee observed that there is not enough space available along BMB RD 252-258 Bls in Bathinda Forest Division, hence alternate site needs to be suggested.

4. The legal st.atus of the forest land proposed for diversion is Protected Forest. 5. As the project envisages doubling of Mansa-Bathinda Railway Line, there is no other

alternative possible for the project avoiding forest land. 6. The proposed alignment is not passing through any National Park, Wildlife

Sanctuary, Elephant /Tiger l~eserve.

7. The requirement of land is unavoidable and baTcst minimum. 8. In Mansa Forest: Division, violation of Forest (Conservation), Act has been noticed as

per DFO's site inspection report. 9. No rare /endangered/vulnerablc and endemic species of flora and fauna have been

found/ recorded .in the area.

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10.No sacred grove or very old growth trees/forests exists on the site and the forest land proposed for diversion is not having any socio-cultural/religious value.

l1.There is no Protected Archeological /Heritage site/Defence establishment in the proposed.I>X,

12.This proposal was examined in the Regional Office and on 17 th December, 2015 following informations were sought from the State Government:

i) GPS coordinates of CA sites. ii) Certificate under FRA, 2006 issued by Deputy Commissioner.

13. The State Government through Nodal Officer have submitted a complied reply on 15.01.2016.

14. After going through the presentation on Decision Support System and eXammmg the proposal, the REC approved the proposal and decided that stage -1 approval· may be granted only after submission of following information:

i) State Government will provide FRA certificate from DC Mansa. ii) Alternate CA site in lieu of Talwandi BMB 252-258 in Bathinda Forest Division,

alongwith GPS coordinate, site suitability certificate and map,

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AGENDA ITEM NO.2 (PUNJAB)

F.ND Name of the Project State Area U.A.

9­PBC459­

2015­CHA

Diversion of 12.736 ha of forest land for Construction of Additional structures of Service road from Km. 448.510 to Km. 473.068 (Amritsar Byepass) already four laned road in the section of NH-l under Forest Division and District Amritsar, Punjab

Punjab 12.736 ha NHAI

The Regional Empowered Committee examined the proposed site of forest land to be diverted and proposed CA site on DSS (Decision Support System) based on GIS

(Geographical Information System). Thereafter, discussed the above mentioned proposal and observed as below:

1. The proposal envisages diversion of 12.736 hectares of forest land in favour National Highway Authority of India for construction of Additional structures of Service road from Km. 448.510 to Km. 473.068 (Amritsar Byepass) already four laned road in the section of NH-1 under Forest Division and District Amritsar, Punjab.

2. The proposal involves felling of 397 trees, 201 u/ s poles and 5330 plants.

3. Compensatory Afforestation has been proposed on 25.50 ha forest land in Sahowal Spur B/s & DS Pura Forest Village Sahowal Tehsil Ajnala, R'amdas Distributor~,

Jagdev Pul to (Barlas Pu1 B/s) of Village Jagdev, tehsil Ajnal!ZJ.I{j.strict Amritsar. L1J~­Additional compensatory afforestation has been proposed on...a.4 na in Chheharta -" Distibutary from Airport Wall to Cantonment Wall both side of villages Ramtirath

a11d Khasa, District Amritsar. The Compensatory Afforestation scheme involves maintenance of plantation for ten years. The committee observed that proper GPS coordinates of DS Pura forest are not provided, also NOC from Airbase Authority would be required for carrying additional CA or alternate site needs to be suggested.

4. The legal status of the forest lal1d proposed [or diversion is Protected Forest. 5. As the project envisages construction of service road on NH-l, there is no other

alternative possible for the project avoiding forest land. 6. The proposed alignment is not passing through any National Park, Wildlife

Sanctuary, Elephant jTiger Reserve. 7. The requirement of lcU1d is unavoidable cU1d barest minimum. 8. No violation of Forest (Conservation), Act is there as per DFO's site inspection

report.

9. No rare /endangered/vu1nerable and endemic species of flora and fauna have been found/ recorded in lhe area.

10. No sacred grove or very old growth trees/forests exists on the site and the forest land proposed for diversion is not having any socia-cultural/religious value.

11. There is no Protected Archeological /Herilage site/Defence establishment in the proposedA~.

12. This proposal was examined in the Regional Office and on 171h December, 2015 fol'lowing inJormation were sought from the Stale Government:

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iii) Certificate under FRA, 2006 issued by Deputy Commissioner. iv) Land suitability certificate of 11.080 ha for tall plants.

13. The State Government through Nodal Officer have submitted a complied reply on 15.01.2016.

14. After going through the presentation on DSS (Decision Support System)the REC approved the proposal subject to the following conditions:

(A) i) State Government will provide GPS coordinates for CA site in DS Pura Forest. ii) NOC from Airbase Authority for planting the additional CA in the Chheharta

Distibutary from Airport Wall to Cantt. Wall both side of villages Ramtirath and Khasa, District Amritsar. Otherwise, alternate CA site may be suggested for additional CA alongwith GPS coordinates.

iii) Cost of compensatory afforestation as per CA scheme will be realized from the user agency;

iv) In addition to existing CA scheme, tall plants (6-10 feet high) of double the number of plants i.e. 11080 being damaged/removed (5330) shall be planted and the user agency will bear the cost of plantation of tall plants.

v) Net Present Value (NPV) of the forest land being diverted for non-forestry purpose may be realized from the user agency, as per Ministry's directions issued vide letters No. 5-3/2007-FC dated 5th February 2009 and Hon'ble Supreme Court of India's Order dated 30th October 2002, 28th March, 2008, 24th April, 2008 and 9th May 2008;

vi) As per the orders of the Government of India vide letter No. 5-2/2010-CAMPA dated 24.06.2011, the Net Present Value (NPV) of the forest land and all other CA levies shall be deposited in State specific CAMPA accounts maintained by the Ad­hoc CAMPA in New Delhi in "PUNJAB CAMPA" and this office may be informed by duly filled in prescribed proforma;

vii) All the funds received from the user agency under the project, except the funds realized for regeneration/ demarcation of safety zone, shall be transferred to Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) in Saving Account pertaining to the State concerned;

(8) The following conditions shall also be complied with after the final approval IS

accorded: i) Legal status of the forest land will remain unchanged; ii) Efforts should be made to fell minimum number of trees and in any case not

more than 397 trees, 201 u/s poles and 5330 plants. iii) The CA will.be carried out over 25.50 ha forest land as pel" the CA scheme and

the funds will be provided by the user agency. The plantation will be done within one year from the date of issue of this lette!". In addition, 11080 tall plants (6­10 feet high) shall be planted and the user agency will bear the cost of this plantation also.

iv) The forest land will not be used for any other purpose than that mentioned in the proposal;

v) The forest land proposed to be diverted shall, under no circumstances, be transferred to any other agency, department, or person without approval of the Central Government;

vi) The layout plan of the proposal shall not be changed without the prior approval of the Central Government;

vii) Adequate underpasses shall be provided by User Agency for safe movement of wildlife wherever required;

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viii) The user agency shall raise strip plantation on both sides and central verge of the road at the project cost as per IRC specifications with maintenance of seven to ten years.

ix) No damage will be done to the adjoining forest land; x) No labour camp shall be established on the forest land; xi) The user agency shall pay additional amount of NPV as and when increased on

the order of Hon 'hIe Supreme Court; xii) The user agency shall carry out muck disposal at pre-designated sites in such a

manner so as to avoid its rolling down and should be taken up as per the scheme approved by the Forest Department;

xiii) The User Agency shall provide firewood preferably alternate fuels to the labourers and the staff working at the site so as to avoid any damage and pressure on the nearby forest areas;

xiv} The boundary of the forest land being diverted shall be demarcated on ground at the projcct cost, using four feet high RCC pillars, each pillar inscribed with the serial number, DGPS coordinates, forward and backward bearings and distance from pillar to pillar etc.;

xv) The User Agency shall cnsure that because of this project, no damage is caused to the flora and the wildlife available in the area;

xvi) The user agency will assist the State Government in conservation and preservation of flora and fauna of the area in accordance with the plan prepared by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State.

xvii} Any other condition that this Regional Office may stipulate, from time to time, in the interest of conservation, protection and development of forests & wildlife;

xviii) The Uscr agency shall submit the annual self. compliance report in respect of the above conditions to the State Government and to the concerned Regional Office of the Ministry regularly;

xix) It will be the responsibility of the State Government/User Agency to obtain all other prior approvals/clearances under all other relevant Acts/Rules/ Court's Rulings/instructions, etc., including environmental clearance, if applicable to this proposal;

xx} The trees should be felled under strict supervision of the State Forest Department;

1'-1­After receipt of the compliance report on fulfilment of the conditions under para-~

(A) above, final approval order shall be given under Scction-2 of the Forcst (Conservation) Act, 1980. The use of forest land will not be allowed till final approval is accorded.

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(Gaurav Gaur) (V.N. Sharma) Member Mcmhr.r

Kv0L.-L, 'v vv-f­ ~-(Kuldecp Singh) (Som Datt Sharma)

Member C.F. cum M~mber-Secretary

~AALWu,p<. ( Harsh Mitter)

APCCF cum Chairperson