Agenda No. 1

F. No. 8-34/2011-FC

Sub: Diversion of 679.44 ha of forest land for renewal of Salt lease for manufacture of salt in favour of M/s Salt Industries Limited in Marine National Park Forest Division in Jamnagar District of .

The present case for diversion of 679.44 ha of forest land for renewal of Salt lease for manufacture of salt in favour of M/s Saurashtra Salt Industries Limited in Jamnagar Marine National Park Forest Division in Jamnagar District of Gujarat was put up before the Forest Advisory Committee in its meeting on 26th August, 2011. The Committee observed as follows:-

“The Committee was informed that this is one of the several proposals of a similar nature received in the Ministry. Apart from this there are 9 more cases of similar nature involving renewal of lease of old salt manufacturing units of Jamnagar district of Gujarat.

The Committee was of the view that the proposals of salt production involve large tracts of land. There is a need to assess these cases in totality from the angle of avian faunal and floral diversity which could be done by referring all the cases to the National Board of Wildlife as they are in the vicinity of the Jamnagar Marine National Park.

The Committee also felt that there is also a need to get the project assessed from the socio-ecological angle as a large population has been traditionally dependent on these salt production units for their livelihood. The Committee suggested the name of Shri Satyakam Joshi, Director Centre for Social Studies for this assessment.

The Committee also felt that there is a need to assess the impact of salt panning on the overall biodiversity of the area, including the mangroves that have come up in defunct salt pans. Thus there is a need to get the opinion of IA division of the MoEF on requirement of Environment Impact Assessment and CRZ notification of these projects so that the overall impact of salt manufacture can be gauged.”

Accordingly, following were proposed:-

1. Referring the matter of salt production involving large tracts of land, rich in floral and faunal diversity, in the vicinity of Jamnagar Marine National Park to National Board of Wildlife for its opinion.

2. For conduct of Socio-ecological study by Dr. Satyakam Joshi, Director, Centre for Social Studies, on impact of salt production units on the livelihood of local population, dependent on salt production. 3. Opinion of IA Division, MoEF on requirement of Environment Impact Assessment and CRZ notification on these projects in Jamnagar district of Gujarat.

The then Hon’ble MEF has observed as follows:-

“FAC should reconsider the practice of directly constituting sub committees consisting of non-members of FAC. It is not possible for MoEF to give clearance for these Committees unless the names and backgrounds area verified by us. In this case too, background details of the persons suggested may be put up please”.

There are eight other similar cases for diversion of forest land for renewal of lease for manufacturing of salt. A list is enclosed below with the status in all the cases.

In view of above, following actions were proposed:-

1. Since most of the cases are within 10 km. of Marine National Park of Jamnagar, hence, the State Government may be requested to submit the recommendations of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife. DFA is placed below. 2. Opinion of I.A. Division, MoEF on requirement of EIA and CRZ notifications of these projects in Jamnagar district of Gujarat may be solicited. 3. On the issue of getting the project assessed from socio-ecological angle as a large population has been traditionally dependent on these salt production units for their livelihood, the proposal may be taken to Forest Advisory Committee to take a fresh view on it.

Now, opinions of the above mentioned Divisions have been received as under:-

Sl. No. Information sought Information received 1. Since most of the cases Wildlife Division have opined that are within 10 km. of Marine para 3.10 provides for applicability National Park of Jamnagar, of the guidelines of WL Division dt. hence, the State Government 19.12.2012. The guidelines refer to may be requested to submit the requirement of reference to S/C the recommendations of of NBWL for the activities requiring the Standing Committee of EC under EC Notification, which it National Board for Wildlife. seems is not the case, as clarified by IA – elaborated on p. 8/N at ‘A’ and,

accordingly, approval of the Standing Committee of NBWL would not be mandatory. 2. Opinion of I.A. Division, MoEF Opinion of IA Division has been taken on requirement of EIA and as below:- CRZ notifications of these projects in Jamnagar district “This has reference to the OM No. 8- of Gujarat may be solicited. 34/2011-FC dated 3rd March, 2014. It is informed that Salt works are not covered under the EIA, Notification, 2006. Under CRZ Notification, 2011, “Salt harvesting by solar evaporation of sea water” is permissible activity with prior approval of State Coastal Zone Management Authority.” 3. On the issue of getting A study was suggested by FAC two the project assessed from years back and, accordingly, it requires socio-ecological angle as a fresh consideration by the Forest large population has been Advisory Committee. traditionally dependent on these salt production units for their livelihood, the proposal may be taken to Forest Advisory Committee to take a fresh view on it.

Accordingly, it has been put up before the FAC for consideration.

The detail Fact Sheet of the present case is as below:-

FACT SHEET

1. Name of the Proposal Diversion of 679.44 ha of forest land for renewal of Salt lease for manufacture of salt in favour of M/s Saurashtra Salt Industries Limited in Jamnagar Marine National Park Forest Division in Jamnagar District of Gujarat. 2. Location (i) State Gujarat (ii) District Jamnagar 3. Particulars of Forests:

(i) Name of Forest Division Jamnagar Marine National Park Forest Division. (ii) Forest area involved. 679.44 ha

(iii) Legal status/Sy.No. Reserve Forest (Preliminary declaration made u/s 4 of IFA)

(iv) Map Enclosed (p. 13/c). 4. Topography of the area The proposed area is open with high wind velocity suitable for wind energy generation. 5. Density of vegetation The area is largely blank however mangrove and other species are found in areas used as reservoir. The common species encountered are Avicenia marina, A. alba, Rhizophora sp. Ceriops tagal etc. Halophytes include Salvador asp. Sued asp., Salicornia and Prosopis juliflora etc. (p. 76/c). No. of trees which will be affected No tree felling is required. Density - 6. Brief note on vulnerability of the - forest area to erosion 7. Whether forms part of National It does not form part of any National Park, park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, Biosphere Reserve, Tiger Tiger Reserved, Elephant corridor etc. but Reserve, Elephant Corridor, etc. the boundary of the Marine National Park (if so, details of the area and is less than 1 km. from the proposed site. comments of the Chief Wildlife Warden to be annexed) 8. Whether any rare/ endangered/ No unique species of flora and fauna are found in the area. If so details thereof 9. Whether any protected No archaeological/ heritage site/ defence establishment or any other important monuments is located in the area. 10. Whether any work of in violation No of 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. 11. Cost of the project - 12. Employment likely to be Local labour will be employed in the generated process of salt production. 13. Cost Benefit Ratio - 14. Rehabilitation of Oustees Nil a) No. of families involved b) Category of families c)Details of rehabilitation plan. 15. Recommendation All have recommended the proposal. P. 17/c i. DFO P. 19/c ii. PCCF P. 20/c iii. State Government 16. Division/ District profile (i) Total Geographical area of the 14125.00 sq. km. district

(ii) Total Forest area/Divisional Jamnagar – 923.77 sq. km. Forest area (iii) Total area diverted Jamnagar -9848.51 ha in 23 cases since 1980 (iv) Total compensatory afforestation stipulated in the district/division since 1980 on (a) Forest land including penal 12361.32 ha compensatory afforestation (b) Non-forest land 709.00 ha (v) Progress of Compensatory Afforestation as on date (a) Forest land 12361.32 ha (b) Non-forest land 705.58 ha

Other remarks:

1. The proposal is for diversion of 679.44 ha of forest land for renewal of salt lease for manufacture of salt in favour of M/s Saurashtra Salt Industries, Village Chudeshwar, Jamnagar district of Gujarat.

2. The lease has been in operation prior to enactment of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and thereafter the lease was renewed by the Govt. of which expired on 31.07.2003 and the user agency has again applied for renewal on 23.02.2005 to the Forest Department for 20 years i.e. from 1.08.2003 to 31.07.2023. 3. The user agency has already paid all the amount for compensatory afforestation in 1358.88 ha., which is double the area of proposed lease i.e. 679.44 ha and also paid the interest amount as prescribed in the GoI letter dated 10.12.1997, during the first renewal. 4. The proposed land is Reserve Forest (Preliminary declaration made u/s 4 of IFA) vide Govt. of Gujarat Notification No. AKH-134-76/FLD/1675/80208/P dated 9.7.1976. 5. No violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 has been reported. 6. User agency has not submitted any undertaking regarding deposition of NPV however State has submitted that as this is a case of renewal of old operational lease NPV is not required to be deposited but also stated that the conditions stipulated by MoEF with regard to deposition of NPV will be final.

Site Inspection Report:

1. Site inspection report has been submitted by the Regional Office, Bhopal. 2. Legal status of the land is Reserve Forest 3. The salt production from this area will around 75000-80000 tonnes per annum. 4. Flamingos, Black Necked Crane, Painted Storks, Spoonbills etc. were found to be in plenty in the intake pond where salinity is low. 5. The report mentions that some permanent structures have been constructed on the site which is a violation of the FCA 1980. 6. The Regional Office proposes that the renewal should be for 20 years w.e.f. 10.12.1997. 7. The report further says that nearly 60-80 ha of land is not being used by the user agency and regeneration of mangrove species was observed in this area. This area can be surveyed and handed over back to Forest Department. [Details on Map (p. 86/c)]. 8. The proposed site does not form part of any National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve but the boundary of the Marine National Park is less than 1 km from the proposed site.

In view of the above facts, the proposal may be submitted to the FAC for its consideration and taking further view on the matter.

(B.K. Singh) Director (FC) IGF(FC)