Agenda No. 6 F. No. 8-62/2010-FC

Sub: Diversion of 128.92 ha of Reserved Forest land for development of facilities of the military airfield station- at Bhandara, Ta-Abdasa, District, Kutch of .

The State Government of Gujarat vide their letter No. FCA-1010/10-4(10)/S.F-68/F dated 02.08.2010 submitted a fresh proposal seeking prior approval of the Central Government under Section-2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of 128.92 ha of Reserved Forest land for development of facilities of the military airfield station-Naliya at Bhandara, Ta-Abdasa, District, Kutch of Gujarat.

The proposal was discussed in the meeting of Forest Advisory Committee held on 20th April, 2012 and the Committee, after detailed discussion on the proposal, recommended following:-

“The FAC discussed the requirement of land for expansion of the development of the Military Airfield Station-Naliya at , Taluka, Abdasa, District Kuchchh of Gujarat in detail and observed that the Conservator of Forests, Kachchh Circle, in his site inspection report has observed that, in spite of sufficient Government Revenue Wasteland (grassland) available in Adbasa Taluka, which is suitable habitat of critically endangered , land in lieu of area being diverted is being handed over for Compensatory Afforestation in Bhachautaluke of Bhuj districted by Collector Bhuj.

The Committee observed that the State Government may explore the possibility of submitting a revised proposal for handing over Compensatory Afforestation land in Adbasa Taluka, which should be maintained as habitat for Great Indian Bustard i.e. as grass land and not planted up before the Forest Advisory Committee in its next meeting for consideration.”

The above recommendation of the FAC were communicated to the State Government vide this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 04.04.2012. The State Government vide their letter no. FCA-1010/10-04(10)/SF-68/F dated 04th June, 2015 (Pg 68-77/c) submitted the information as desired by the FAC. A brief summary of the information submitted by the State Government is given as under:

1 Topo-Sheet Map (1:50,000) is enclosed at ps. 77/c. 2. Compensatory Scheme with 10 years maintenance plan & map are enclosed at ps.69- 75/c) as under:- (i) Area to be afforested – 128.92 ha (ii) Name of plantation programme: Compensatory afforestation – Spesiyalli Designed model for GIB Eco-Sensative Zone attach. (iii) Species composition: Cymbopogon sp., Zizyphus sp., Capparis sp., Euphorbia sp. Salvador asp. 3. Certificate of Collector, Kutch and Gram Sabha resolutions under FRA-2006 are enclosed at ps. 76-80/c.

The facts related to the proposal as contained in the State Government’s letter dated 02.08.2010 are given below in the form of factsheet:

FACT SHEET

1. Name of the Proposal Diversion of 128.92 ha of Reserved Forest land for development of facilities of the military airfield station-Naliya at Bhandara, Ta-Abdasa, District, Kutch of Gujarat. 2. Location (i) State Gujarat (ii) District Kachchh 3. Particulars of Forests: (i) Name of Forest Division and Kachchh West Forest Division Forest area involved. 128.92 ha (ii) Legal status/Sy.No. Reserved Forest (iii) Map p. 11/c. Google Map at page 61/c. 4. Density of vegetation Not mentioned 5. Species-wise (scientific names) and Total 430 trees will be affected (p. 26/c) diameter class-wise enumeration of (389 trees below 45 cm girth and 41 trees (to be enclosed. In case of trees above 46 cm girth). irrigation / hydel projects enumeration at FRL, FRL-2 meter & Acacia nelotica and Prosopisjuliflora FRL-4 meter also to be enclosed) (pg 18-25/c). 6. Brief note on vulnerability of the Nil forest area to erosion 7. Approximate distance of the Proposed site for diversion is itself a proposed site for diversion from forest area. boundary of forest. 8. Whether forms part of National park, No Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Corridor, etc. (if so, details of the area and comments of the Chief Wildlife Warden to be annexed) 9. Whether any rare/ endangered/ Yes, The Green Indian Bustard unique species of flora and fauna are sometimes found around this area. found in the area. If so details thereof 10. Whether any protected No archaeological/ heritage site/defence establishment or any other important monuments is located in the area. 11. Whether the requirement of forest Yes land as proposed by the user agency in col. 2 of Part-I is unavoidable and barest minimum for the project, if no recommended area item-wise with details of alternatives examined. 12. Whether any work of in violation of No the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 has been carried out (Yes/No). If yes details of the same including period of work done, action taken on erring officials. Whether work in violation is still in progress. 13. Whether clearance under the No, the land is required for Air Force. Environment (protection) Act, 1986 No industrial project is proposed. is required? 14. Compensatory Afforestation (i) Details of non-forest area/degraded Non-forest area of 128.92 ha in Survey forest area identified for CA, its No. 270, 271, 273 and 274 Pt at village distance from adjoining forest, VadaPadhar of Ta. Abdasa. number of patches, size of each patches. (ii) Map showing non-forest/ degraded Compensatory Afforestation Scheme forest area identified for CA and proposed under Grass Land adjoining forest boundaries. Development is attached at page 15/c. (iii) Detailed CA scheme including Natural species in the surrounding species to be planted, implementing locality agency, time schedule, cost structure, etc. (iv) Total financial outlay for CA Rs. 3,00,00,030/- (vi) Certificate from the competent Yes. Attached (p. 14/c). authority regarding suitability of the area identified for CA and from management point of view. 15. Site inspection report of the DCF (to Enclosed at ps. 36-37/c. be enclosed) especially highlighting facts asked in col. 8(xi. xii), 8 and 9 above. 16. Catchment Area Treatment Not applicable 17. Rehabilitation of Oustees (a) No of families involved Nil (b) Category of families Nil (c) Details of rehabilitation plan Nil 18. Cost Benefit Ratio The land is required for development of facilities of the military airfield at Naliya. This being a defence related activity cannot be qualified in monetary terms. 19. Total Cost of the Project Cost of forest land & terms projected by Board of Officers is Rs. 25 lakhs approx. 20. Recommendation i. DFO Recommended. The area adjoining to Bhanada Grass Land would have been more suitable for GIB habitat, as per their demand (p. 7/c).

ii. CF Recommended to accept but alienate land for compensatory afforestation has to be allotted in as grassland habitat of GSB (p. 8/c).

iii. Nodal Officer Recommended (p. 9/c)

iv State Government Recommended (10/c). 21. Division/ District profile (i) Total Geographical area of the 45652.00 Sq. km. district

(ii) Total Forest area/Divisional Forest 2135.09 Sq. Km. area (iii) Total area diverted 169.32 Ha/9 cases since 1980 (iv) Total compensatory afforestation stipulated in the district/division since 1980 on (a) Forest land including penal 184.88 ha compensatory afforestation (b) Non-forest land 318.44 ha (v) Progress of Compensatory Afforestation as on date (a) Forest land 184.88 ha (b) Non-forest land 201.76 ha 22. Specific recommendations of the Recommended. The area adjoining to DCF for acceptance or otherwise of Bhanada Grass Land would have been the proposal with reasons more suitable for GIB habitat, as per their demand (p. 7/c).

Other remarks:

1. The instant proposal from Wing Commander, Air Force Station, Naliya, is to divert forest land which is adjoining to land of already existing Air Station and is required for the expansion of the station and Air field for fighter Aircrafts. 2. Total 430 trees consisting 389 trees below 45 cm girth and 41 trees above 46 cm girth will be affected (p. 26/c). 3. There is no Protected/Heritage site or any other monuments are located in the area but the forest land is unique grassland that is the habitat of resident Great Indian Bustard in the region. This is rare and endangered species. 4. The user agency has not violated the provision of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. 5. Compensatory Afforestation has been proposed over non-forest area of 128.92 ha in Survey No. 270, 271, 273 and 274 at Village VadaPadhar of Ta. Abdasa. 6. The User agency has submitted an undertaking to bear the cost of raising and maintenance of Compensatory Afforestation as well as cost for protection and regeneration of safety zone, etc., as per the scheme prepared by the State Government (ps. 17, 34/c). 7. The user agency has submitted an undertaking to pay the NPV (p. 44/c). 8. The Conservator of Forests has recommended that land identified for compensatory afforestation should be allotted for habitat of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) that is in Abdasa Taluka only where sufficient wasteland as grassland is lying with Revenue Department (p. 37/c).

In response to Ministry’s letter dated 26.10.2010, RO, Bhopal have submitted Site Inspection Report undertaken on 27.10.2010 vide their letter dated 28.01.2011 (ps. 54-67/c) as under:-

1. Legal status – The forest land proposed for diversion is Reserved Forests declared under Sec. 4 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. 2. Item-wise break-up details of the forest land – The proposed land would be used for WWR Storage Accommodation Project Richard, MAP, Centrage Sewage Scheme & other operational and technical requirement of Air Force Station at Naliya. However, the itemwisebreak up of the above proposed structures has not been provided. 3. Construction of building – Yes, the proposal involves construction of accommodation, sewage schemes, roads etc. The itemwise break-up of the same and layout map of the area is yet to be provided. 4. Total cost of the project: The outlay of the project is Rs. 25 lakhs. 5. Wildlife: Great Indian Bustard is found in the area, as these lands are largely grasslands. Chinkara is also found in the area.

As far as the disturbance to wildlife, especially Great Indian Bustard (GIB), due to operation of fighter planes and other defense aircraft is concerned, these animals have become much used to the disturbance caused by these planes and the presence of the GIB has been reported from areas surrounding the airfield. The presence of GIB inside the air base was also reported by the Air Force authorities. As such, it is opined that the project will not have any significant impact on the ecology of the GIB in the area.

6. Vegetation: The vegetation of the area is shown in the satellite imagery (Map-1). The area is covered with grasses and has sporadic presence of Babool (Acacia nilotica) and Prosopisjuliflora. The density of the forest is less than 0.1.

It is proposed to fell 430 trees in the area. Only 41 trees are more than 45 cms girth.

7. Background note on the proposal: The air base at Naliya is strategically very important because of its location and vicinity to the international border. The air base acts as a flying “eye” to maintain vigil over the border and also take retaliatory action in case of any requirement.

Over the years, the air base has grown. It initially started with two squadron, but is currently housing about 25 squadrons. This has given rise to requirement for further need of space for expansion because of which, this proposal has been submitted.

8. Compensatory afforestation: Compensatory afforestation is proposed over 130 ha non-forest land in village VadaPadhdhar, Ta. Abdasa. As per the proposal submitted, the area would be used for Grassland Development (GFPF). 9. Violation of Forest (Conservation) Ac, 1980 – No violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 was observed in the area. 10. Rehabilitation of displaced persons – No families in forest area are proposed to be rehabilitated in the proposed area. 11. Reclamation plan – Not required. 12. Catchment and command area under the project – Not required. 13. Recommendation of the PCCF/State Government – CCF (Land Management), Gandhinagar and Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh have recommended for sanction of the project. 14. Comments/Recommendations of RCCF – The proposal for diversion of 128.92 ha RF land for development of facilities of the Military Airfield Station, Naliya, Bhanad in comprises mainly grasslands and sparse tree vegetation have crown density of 0.1 and below. The proposal, if approved, shall involve felling of 430 trees of Prosopisjuliflora, Acacia nilotica and other xerophytic species. The presence of Great Indian Bustard has also been noticed in some parts around the area proposed for diversion. The user agency did not provide the itemwise breakup of the area required for various purposes (para-3). Considering the strategic importance of the proposal associated with the development of military air field station, the same is recommended for approval subject to furnishing of information as mentioned earlier. 15. Comments of RCCF – As it is expansion of the existing military air field station, the proposal is site specific. The question of alternatives does not arise. 16. Utility of the project – Since this is a defence related project and related to national security, the project is of national importance. 17. Socio cultural/religious value: No 18. Situation in respect of ah Protected Area – The Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is located about 16 kms from the proposed site. As mentioned above, the majority of the GIB population is outside the sanctuary area and found in grasslands and private areas around Naliya. 19. Specific observations/recommendations – The classification of presence of TIB in the area into zones 1 to 4 is shown in Map-2. At present, two large chunks of forests are existing in the area, which include compensatory afforestation undertaken on 158 ha NFL and another 100 ha of Reserve Forest is shown in Map-2. Therefore, non-forest land for CA can be located in Zone 3 GIB presence area, preferably in the vicinity of these two forest patches. An ideal location for provision of NFL is Bhachunda village. Since the area, in general, is sparsely populated, revenue land is available in this area aplenty. One such land has been identified by the Forest Department, which is shown in Map-2.

As such, a condition can be considered in case of approval that NFL should be provided in the vicinity of the diverted area, preferably in village Bhachunda.

In view of above, the present proposal of the State Government is placed before the FAC in its meeting for appropriate decision.