AGENDA ITEM NO. 3 Diversion of 128.725 Ha of Forest Land For

Home , Allahabad, Allahabad district, Lucknow

AGENDA ITEM NO. 3

Diversion of 128.725 ha of forest land for widening of NH 24B (Lucknow-Raibareilly Section 91.71 ha. and Raebareilly-Allahabad Section 37.02 ha.) in Lucknow, Raebareilly, Pratapgarh and Allahabad Districts respectively in the state of UP in favour of National Highway Authority of India

This relates to diversion of above mentioned proposal for which Stage-II approval was accorded by the MoEF vide letter of even number dated 18th July, 2012. 1. As per the information received in the original proposal total 34200 trees were proposed to be felled including 20151 trees below 60 cm of girth and 14049 trees above 60 cm girth (Pg /N). 2. Now the State Government of Uttar Pradesh vide its letter dated 12.08.2013 has informed that in Raibareilly-Allahabad Section in Raibareilly district earlier 1890 trees were enumerated as project affected trees. However during the tree enumeration survey, 245 trees were inadvertently left to be included in the total affected trees in the Raibareilly district. The total project affected trees required to be felled for the proposal in Raibareilly district now comes out to be 1890+245 =2135. 3. The proposed road widening project passes through Lucknow, Raebareilly, Pratapgarh and Allahabad districts of Uttar Pradesh. 245 trees missed in the enumeration are located in the area falling between Km 82 to Km 124 in Raibareilly District 4. In view of the above, the State Government of Uttar Pradesh has requested this Ministry to accord approval for felling of additional 245 trees under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. 5. As proposal of the State Government (Widening and strengthening of NH-24B) do not involve any deviation in the total area diverted (128.725 ha) or conditions stipulated in the Stage-I and Stage-II approval except change in the number of total tree, it was proposed that the request of the State Government may be considered subject to the following conditions: “The felling of trees shall be restricted to 34445 (34200+245) and the same shall be undertaken under the strict supervision of the State Forest Department. The State Government shall take credible action against the Officers/staff responsible for furnishing incomplete details on tree enumeration and a report on the same shall be submitted to this Ministry”. Proposal may be submitted to the FAC for its consideration in its forthcoming meeting. Fact sheet of the proposal is also enclosed.

FACT SHEET

1. Nme of the Proposal Diversion of 128.725 ha of forest land for widening of NH 24B (Lucknow-Raibareilly Section 91.71 ha. and Raebareilly-Allahabad Section 37.02 ha.) in Lucknow, Raebareilly, Pratapgarh and Allahabad Districts respectively in the state of UP in favour of National Highway Authority of India .

2. Location (i) State Uttar Pradesh (ii) District Lucknow, Raebareilly, Pratapgarh & Allahabad.

3. Particulars of Forests: (i) Name of Forest Lucknow, Raebareilly, Pratapgarh & Allahabad SFD Division

(ii) Forest area involved 28.725 ha

(iii) Legal status/Sy.No. Protected Forest declared along road side for management purpose.

(iv) Map Enclosed.

4. (i) Vegetation Predominant species are Mahua, Aam, Prosophis, Juiliflora, Eucalyptus, Sheesham, Siris, Albejia, Ficus, Neem, Temrind, Jamun, Karanj, Goldmohar etc.

(ii) Density 0.1-0.4

(iii) No. of trees affected Total 34200 (22538 tress and 11662 saplings) 20151 no. of trees <60 cm 14049 no. of trees >60 cm

5. Whether area is significant The proposed divisions do not form part of National from wildlife point of view Park,Wild Life Sanctuary ,Biosphere, Reserve, Tiger reserve, Elephant corridor etc.

6. Whether any work in No violation of the Act has been carried out. 7. Employment generated The Project will provide direct and indirect Employment For around 5600 man days per months during construction phase.

8. Compensatory afforestation C.A has been proposed in each district along road side and in equal area of degraded forest land with cost of 10.4261 crore which is site specific.

9. Catchment area treatment Not applicable plan 10. Rehabilitation of Oustees a) Number of families Not applicable involved Not applicable b) Category of families Not applicable c) Details of rehabilitation plan 11. Cost Benefit Ratio 1.31 14

12. Recommendation: Recommended by all (i) DFO Yes (ii) CF Yes (iii) PCCF Yes (iv) State Govt. Yes 13. District Profile (i) Total Geographical area Lucknow-252800 ha., Raebareilly-460900 ha., of the district Pratapgarh-3717 Sq Km., Allahabad- 528900 ha.

(ii) Total Forest Lucknow-10586.92 ha, Raebareilly -4860.90 ha., area/Divisional Forest Pratapgarh -444.50 ha., Allahabad – 19661.398 ha. area

(iii) Total area diverted Lucknow-Not Given, Raebareilly -30.19 ha., since 1980 Pratapgarh -0.489 ha., Allahabad – 225.645 ha.

(iv) Total CA stipulated Lucknow-158.07 ha, Raebareilly -158.85 ha, since 1980 Pratapgarh –Not Given, Allahabad- 297.27 ha.

(v) Total CA done since Lucknow-154.36 ha, Raebareilly -162.11 ha., 1980 Pratapgarh –Not Given, Allahabad – 297.27 ha.

Details of the project:

The project is being funded by concessionaire on BOT basis.

1. The project start from Lucknow at chainage 12.700 on NH-24B and ends at chainage 188.60 in Allahabad district. 2. The total length of the project is 175.9 3. The road is proposed to be widened upto 4 lane in Lucknow-Raebareilly Section and to be upgraded two lane standard with paved shoulders in Raebareilly- Allahabad Section. 4. The quarries and borrow area has not been located within the protected forest in the project vicinity. 5. In the site inspection report the DCF has certified that no rare/endangered species of flora and fauna is found in the area. It is also certified that the forest land required is bare minimum. The site for compensatory afforestation has been certified to be suitable for plantation.

Recommendation of Regional office:

The Regional office (C) Lucknow has carried out the site inspection in this case by and submitted the site inspection report. The traffic on NH-24B have increased as the entire area is developing and number of industrial centers and academic institutes have come up. The High Court is located at Allahabad and it has bench in Lucknow as well therefore the Hon’ble Judges travel frequently on this highway. Also in Allahabad being a religious place 15

on account of having Sangum, Magh Mela every year, Ardh Kumbh every six year and Maha Kumbh every 12th year is organized. The importance of road would always be there as million of pilgrims from different part of the country and abroad would visit Allahabad from the State capital.

Considering the importance of the road widening of the entire stretch of NH24B from Lucknow to Allahabad is required. The Regional office has recommended for approval for widening of NH24B from Lucknow to Allahabad. The proposal is required to be taken on priority basis for early decision in order to comply with the order of Honble High Court.

The proposal is recommended for approval subject to following conditions

1- The use agency shall pay the cost of NPV as applicable. 2- The user agency shall pay the cost of CA which is planting double the number of tree involving, with maintenance of 5 years. 3- The user agency will also pay the cost of strip plantation on the entire length, central verge as per the availability of space with maintenance of 5 years. 4- The NHAI authority shall provide respective ROW to meet up the required of strip plantation in the different district and if required the land on the two sides should be acquired to ensure plantation on both the sides of the road. The ROW after the road formation shall be continued to have status of protect forest. 5- The NHAI authority shall demarcate the PF are with boundary pillars all along the ROW and ensure that the PF on both the side of the road is free from encroachment. 6- The approach road constructed through the protected forest for petrol pump, hotel, resorts and other establishment need to be regularized by submitted proposal for ex- post facto approval under FC Act. . 7- The NHAI shall provide a forest nursery of a capacity of raising seedling of 1 lakh capacity in each of the forest division through which the road is passing, for distribution of seedling to kisan and Villagers on concessional rate. 8- Environmental clearance as applicable shall be taken under EPA.

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