PROPOSAL FOR FOREST CLEARANCE UNDER FOREST (CONSERVATION) ACT, 1980

FORM A – PART I

Diversion of 31.4118 Ha Forest Area for Upgradation to 2-Lane with Paved Shoulder/4-Lane configuration of -Mehkar Section (From Km 0.000 to 72.197)

BULDHANA FOREST DIVISION

USER AGENCY

BULDHANA DIVISION STATE ROAD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LIMITED (A Govt. of Maharashtra Undertaking)

PROPOSAL FOR DIVERSION OF 31.4118 HA FOREST AREA FOR UPGRADATION TO TWO LANES WITH PAVED SHOULDER/FOUR LANE CONFIGURATIONS OF KHAMGAON-MEHKAR FROM KM 0.000 TO 72.197 IN THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

FORM – ‘A’ Form for seeking prior approval under section 2 of the proposals By the State Governments and other authorities PART-I

PART - I (To be filled up by user agency)

Sr. Description Comments No. 1. Project details: Proposal for diversion of 31.4118 Ha Forest area for upgradation to two lanes with paved shoulder/four lane configurations of Khamgaon-Mehkar from Km 0.000 to 72.197 in the State of Maharashtra. (i) Short narrative of the The project alignment is spanning through with proposal and a total length of approximately 72.197 Kms. Presently the project/scheme for existing Highway is as per SH specification & the proposal is to which the forest land is upgrade the existing Highway to NH specification. The project required. alignment starts at Tembhurna (Ch. 0+000) located in Khamgaon and ends at (Ch. 72+197) in Mehkar which is the existing State Highway No 221.

Total Length- 72.197 km

Khamgaon-Mehkar project alignment passes through five number of forest patches (3 nos. forest patches falling within existing alignment & 2 no. forest patch falling within proposed realignment of 0.498 & 0.932 km passing at Deulgaon Sakarsha) covering a total length of 11.837 km admeasuring total area of 31.4118 Ha. Therefore, it involves diversion of this forest land for above upgradation purpose under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. (ii) Map showing the Attached as Annexure I in this section required forest land, boundary of adjoining forest on a 1:50,000 scale map. (iii) Cost of the project: Rs. 553.19 Crs (iv) Justification for locating Infrastructure development particularly faster movement and the project in forest area. transportation of goods in a country like is a guiding factor for economic development. Proper transportation of goods requires comprehensive transport systems and increasing road traffic requires better roads. Hence it becomes necessary to create a new road network or upgrade the existing road network. With a view to upgrade and rehabilitate the existing highway where necessary, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Ltd has envisioned upgradation of existing highway to two lane/four lane with paved shoulders.

The basic objective of the project development is to provide connectivity to important towns with good quality of roads and to improve standard of living of people. The project alignment is an amalgamation of SH-221 passing through Temburna, Atali, Janefal, Fardapur & Mehkar. Khamgaon-Shirla Nemane-Janefal- PROPOSAL FOR DIVERSION OF 31.4118 HA FOREST AREA FOR UPGRADATION TO TWO LANES WITH PAVED SHOULDER/FOUR LANE CONFIGURATIONS OF KHAMGAON-MEHKAR FROM KM 0.000 TO 72.197 IN THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

Sr. Description Comments No. Mehkar town forms an important artery for movement of goods from Khamgaon and . Goods transported are seasonal crops and agricultural products throughout the year from different places located in Khamgaon-Shirla Nemane- Janefal- Mehkar to Akola, Jalna, and onwards.

It is appreciated that over a horizon of next 20-30 years, this road will serve as critical purpose of linking NH-6 with Shegaon- Khamgaon–Mehkar which will contribute substantially to the development of the local economy and tourism. Further a number of remote villages are also being benefited due to connectivity and take-off points emanating from this highway. (v) Cost-benefit analysis (to Attached as Certificate No. 21 in Forest Diversion proposal for be enclosed). Khamgaon-Mehkar. (vi) Employment likely to be The proposed project will generate employment opportunities generated. for the local people during construction as well as operation phase. The construction will require about 200 workers during peak constuction times. It is proposed to employ the local people to the maximum extent possible. In addition proposed development of the area would result in industrialization/ urbanization of the region and would generate more opportunities of employment. About 75 Workers will require during operation phase. 2. Purpose wise breakup of Patch Chainage Length Area Legal the total land required. in km (Forest) Status under From To Acquisition (Ha) P1 28+300 31+501 3.201 7.6824 RF Re_P1 30+500 30+998 0.498 2.241 RF (Realignment) Re_P2 33+448 34+380 0.932 4.194 RF (Realignment) P2 32+860 34+790 1.93 4.632 RF P3 37+175 42+451 5.276 12.6624 RF Total = 11.837 31.4118

3. Details of displacement There is no displacement of people in the forest area. of people due to the project, if any. (i) Number of Families Not Applicable (ii) Number of Scheduled Not Applicable Casts/Scheduled Tribe families (iii) Rehabilitation Plan Not Applicable 4. Whether clearance under Not Applicable environment (Protection) Act 2006 required 5. Undertaking to bear the Enclosed in Checklist cost of raising and PROPOSAL FOR DIVERSION OF 31.4118 HA FOREST AREA FOR UPGRADATION TO TWO LANES WITH PAVED SHOULDER/FOUR LANE CONFIGURATIONS OF KHAMGAON-MEHKAR FROM KM 0.000 TO 72.197 IN THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

Sr. Description Comments No. maintenance of compensatory afforestation and/or penal compensatory afforestation as well as cost for protection and regeneration of Safety Zone, etc. as per the scheme prepared by the State Government (undertaking to be enclosed). 6. Details of Enclosed at respective place in the Forest Diversion Proposal Certificates/documents (FDP) as per the Checklist. enclosed as required under the instructions.

Dated: Executive Engineer, Buldhana Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited. Govt. of Maharashtra

PROPOSAL FOR DIVERSION OF 31.4118 HA FOREST AREA FOR UPGRADATION TO TWO LANES WITH PAVED SHOULDER/FOUR LANE CONFIGURATIONS OF KHAMGAON-MEHKAR FROM KM 0.000 TO 72.197 IN THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

Annexure I Map showing the required forest land, boundary of adjoining forest on a 1:50,000 scale map