SC relaxes ban on construction in forest areas

18 Oct 2007, 2340 hrs IST,Dhananjay Mahapatra,TNN NEW DELHI: For the first time in seven years, the Supreme Court has permitted a host of construction activity for socio-economic purposes in forest areas that were made impregnable on its orders, at least on paper, to protect the dwindling green cover. This ban order had envisaged no felling of trees and their removal, no removal of bamboo or grass for any purpose, no removal of corals and other living forms from marine national parks and sanctuaries and no construction of tourist complexes, hotels and restaurants. The February 14, 2000, order of the court had also prohibited setting up of zoos and safari parks or any other building not for direct use for protection and management of wildlife and its habitat. However, the order did not specifically provide for the activities that could be permitted in forest areas, forcing state governments to approach the apex court for its permission each time they identified a socio-economic need. After getting a report in this regard from the central empowered committee, a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia permitted a number of activities that would facilitate supply of water, electricity and telephone facilities in remote areas. It permitted the following activities: Laying of underground drinking water pipeline upto 4 inch in diameter Laying of 11 KV distribution lines for supply of electricity to rural areas Laying of telephone lines or optical fibre for providing communication facilities in rural areas Digging of wells, hand pumps, water tanks for providing drinking water facility to villagers who are yet to be relocated from forest areas. "In addition to the above, anganwadis, government schools and government dispensaries, which are essential................................................................................. full news at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/SC_relaxes_ban_on_construction_in_forest_areas/articleshow/2471932.cms