Relax forest norms for rehabilitation of disaster-hit families, CM urges Centre

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has asked the Central Government for relaxation in forest norms for the grant of one bigha each to the disaster-affected families. He called on Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi yesterday.

Sukhu urged the Union Minister to allow the grant of one bigha each for the rehabilitation of the disaster-affected families, which had been rendered homeless and landless. As 68 per cent of the state is under forest cover, he emphasised the need for relaxation in forest norms to facilitate rehabilitation.

He apprised the Union Minister about the losses the state had suffered due to recent cloudbursts and heavy rain. He added that massive damage had been caused to buildings and infrastructure like roads, bridges, water supply schemes, residential properties, besides the loss of precious human lives during the current monsoon season.

Sukhu also held discussions on dredging in rivers and urged Yadav to give necessary directions for the disposal of the dredged material for disaster prevention. He also urged the Union Minister that separate norms should be fixed for hill states keeping in view their tough topography and special needs.

The Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister about recurring cloudbursts leading to natural disasters and severe losses. He said that the matter had been discussed with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a Central team had visited the state to study the impact of climate change.