22 hours Ago By Sanjay Khajuria
JAMMU: In a significant push for infrastructure and economic growth in Jammu & Kashmir, over 300 development projects pending clearances at different stages have received forest clearance. These environmental clearances have been approved following a high-level meeting between Union minister for environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), Bhupender Yadav , and J&K minister, Javed Ahmed Rana, in New Delhi in Jan 2025. “A total of 302 cases have received final approval and 84 cases have received in-principle approval from the govt between Jan to March this year.
This signifies the govt’s broader vision of development, prioritizing projects that address long-standing infrastructural gaps, and further improve public services,” officials from of J&K govt said. “From key road networks to water supply schemes, tourism, defence, and 4G saturation, these approvals will pave the way for enhanced connectivity, and economic progress,” the officials said. “Major road and highway projects approved recently include clearance for the remaining patch of Package-17 of Delhi-Katra Expressway in Jammu, Kishtwar-Nildori-Bangus-Gali-Lokut-Bangus Dangiyari Road in Kupwara district by BRO, and Jallary to Badharket Khaitan Road by PWD in Poonch district,” the officials said.
Also, forest land has been cleared for establishment of various water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission across the UT of J&K. In the last three months, 271 water supply schemes have been approved in 7 districts of J&K, including Baramulla, Budgam, Doda, Jammu, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Udhampur. “In order to ensure 4G saturation under USOF, 11 proposals for construction of communication towers and 4 proposals for laying OFC have been approved recently across 8 districts of J&K,” the officials said, adding, “In line with the Forest (Conservation) Act, compensatory afforestation will be undertaken for the forest land diverted for these projects.
” Javed Ahmed Rana also urged Bhupender Yadav to expedite clearance of another 400 pending cases under the Forest (Conservation) Act related to various projects, which are awaiting approval at the regional office. “We will ensure that ecological balance is maintained and steps have been taken to ensure that forest area is not reduced and compensatory land is provided by the authorities concerned for afforestation,” he said..
