Stress on early settlement of cases under Forest Rights Act

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa has directed departmental officers to complete formalities of all works pending for approval under the Forest Rights Act. Apart from this, the operators of hydro-power projects in various areas of the district have been directed to complete the formalities under the Act.

In this regard, while presiding over the review meeting of pending development works under the Forest Rights Act in Dharamsala, the DC said all user agencies should ensure compliance under the Act.

He said instructions had been given for the early settlement of pending cases under the Forest Rights Act for various developmental works under four forest divisions of Dharamsala, Nurpur, Dehra and Palampur in Kangra district and it had also been asked to compulsorily inform about it in the district-level meeting so that development works could be expedited.

The DC said the Forest Department, user agencies and departments concerned should establish mutual coordination and take necessary steps for the compliance of these matters. According to him, the cases of forest clearance for the construction of link roads under the Public Works Department and institutions of the Electricity Department and Education Department were pending; all their formalities should be completed soon so that the construction work could begin.