Team Herald
PORVORIM: The Union Ministry for Environment and Forest (MoEF) has informed the government that it will not be feasible to permit any non-forest activity in private forests without clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, State Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar told the House on Wednesday.
Arlekar informed the State Legislative Assembly that a draft policy on private forest management has been formulated and has been forwarded to the MoEF for comments on guidelines and directions regarding private forests for finalising the policy.
“The Ministry has informed that it will not be feasible to permit any non-forest activity in private forests without clearance under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, as per the existing guidelines,” the Minister said.
Also, conversion sanads and felling of trees under the Goa, Daman and Diu Preservation of Tree Act, 1984 is not recommended in identified private forest areas, he added.
Arlekar, who is also the Environment Minister, was replying to a question tabled by Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte on private forest management.
Minister said that the Union Ministry has been requested to re-examine and formulate necessary guidelines, so that the management policy for private forests can be finalised.
“The relaxations under Forest Conservation Act like procedures, compensating levies, and activities are necessary from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as at present there are no separate guidelines for private forests,” he informed the House.
Arelkar said that after obtaining the comments and guidelines from the Ministry, the draft Private Forest Management Policy will be framed and circulated for public comments.
Arlekar said that after the Sawant and Karapurkar committee, currently two committees, North and South Goa Forest Division Committees are identifying the balance private forest areas in the State.
