Over 100 PMGSY projects awaiting forest clearances: JK govt

As many as 125 projects taken up in Jammu and Kashmir under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the Centrally-funded scheme for expansion of rural road network, are awaiting clearances by the forest department.
This was told to the Assembly by state Forest Minister Mian Altaf Ahmed, who said till January this year, 87 such projects are lying pending in Jammu region while 38 are in Kashmir Valley.
As far as clearances are concerned, 348 such projects were given a go ahead between 2006 and January 2013, he added.
The minister said while efforts are made to ensure expeditious clearance of the projects, the process of collecting required information, data, and alignment maps consumes time.

Ahmed defended the department's approach towards projects involving possible threats to the ecosystem, and said while sanctioning forest clearance, issues of environmental, ecological and water security should be taken care of.
Pointing out the environmental threats before the state, the minister said while the glaciers at the high-altitude areas are receding, many water bodies also no more carry water perennially due to the shrinking forest base.