AGENDA NO. 1 F. No. 8-65/2013-FC the State Government of Punjab

AGENDA NO. 1 F. No. 8-65/2013-FC

The State Government of Punjab vide their letter No. FCA/1980/150-151-152- 153/2013/3513 dated 26.07.2013 submitted a fresh proposal seeking prior approval of the Central Government under Section-2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of 164.563 ha of forest land for upgrading to 2/4 lane of NH-15 (Amritsar-Bathinda- Ferozepur-Faridkot) in favour of M/s Executive Engineer, Central Works Division, PWD, Punjab. . The facts related to the proposal as contained in the State Government’s letter dated 26.07.2013 are given below in the form of factsheet:

FACT SHEET

1. Name of the Proposal Diversion of 164.563 ha of forest land for upgrading to 2/4 lane of NH-15 (Amritsar- Bathinda-Ferozepur-Faridkot) in favour of M/s Executive Engineer, Central Works Division, PWD, Punjab. 2. Location (i) State Punjab (ii) District Ferozepur, Amritsar, Bathinda and Muktsar/Faridkot 3. Particulars of Forests: (i) Name of Forest Ferozepur F.D. 52.0485 Division and Forest Amritsar F.D. 39.7619 ha area involved. Bathinda 30.90 ha Faridkot 41.8526 ha

(ii) Legal status/Sy.No. Ferozepur. Protected Amritsar F.D. P.F. Bathinda P.F. Faridkot Protected

Ferozepur. Attached at p. 33/c

Amritsar F.D. Attached at p. (iii) Map 242/c Bathinda Attached at p.548- 560/c Faridkot Attached at p. 625/c

4. Density of vegetation Ferozepur. - Amritsar F.D. - Bathinda 0.4 Faridkot 0.4

5. Species-wise (scientific Ferozepur. 7390 trees, Nil names) and diameter Plants, Nil pole class-wise enumeration Amritsar F.D. Attached at ps. of trees (to be enclosed. 253-483/c In case of irrigation / Bathinda 7485 trees and no hydel projects plants. enumeration at FRL, Shisham, Kikar, FRL-2 meter & FRL-4 Euc, Dak Mulbery, meter also to be Musket, Totlies, enclosed) Popler, Sangwan, etc. Faridkot Marking list attached ps. 668- 901/c. Shisham, Kikar, Euc., Crek, Musket, Mulbery, Teak, etc.

6. Brief note on Ferozepur. Area is not vulnerability of the vulnerable to erosion. forest area to erosion Amritsar F.D. Area is not vulnerable to erosion. Bathinda Area is not vulnerable to erosion. Faridkot No

7. Approximate distance of Ferozepur. Adjoining the proposed site for Amritsar F.D. Adjoining diversion from boundary Bathinda Not mentioned of forest. Faridkot Within range

8. Whether forms part of No National park, 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/ NA endangered/ unique species of flora and fauna are found in the area. If so details thereof 10. Whether any protected NA archaeological/ heritage site/defence establishment or any other important 4

monuments is located in the area. 11. Whether the requirement Ferozepur. No alternative of forest land as available. proposed by the user Amritsar F.D. Yes agency in col. 2 of Part-I Bathinda Minimum forest land is unavoidable and is required. barest minimum for the Faridkot Yes project, if no recommended area item- wise with details of alternatives examined. 12. Whether any work of in No violation 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. 13. Whether clearance under Ferozepur. Yes. Application for the Environment obtaining EC has (protection) Act, 1986 is been submitted to required? MoEF (p. 14/c). Amritsar F.D. Yes. Application for obtaining EC has been submitted to MoEF Bathinda Yes. Application for obtaining EC has been submitted to MoEF.- Faridkot Yes. Application for obtaining EC has been submitted to MoEF (p. 607/c)

14. Compensatory Afforestation (i) Details of non-forest Ferozepur. Butewah Canal RD 65 to tail, area/degraded forest area Bikaner Canal RD Kattianwali pull to identified for CA, its MF road B/s, Gola Minor RD 0 to tail distance from adjoining B/s, Phidda outfall Drain Main forest, number of Branch Canal RD 110-135 B/s, FF patches, size of each road Km 19-30 B/s, ABH-Hindumal patches. kot road Km 12-17 B/s, Pakki Link road Km Pakki to Malukpur B/s, 5

Kular Minor RD 0 to tail B/s Amritsar LBC RD 188-Tail B/s, MBL RD 89- F.D. RD 101 L/s, Gadli/ Devidaspur Drain RD 0 to Tail B/s, KBL RD 125 to 135 L/s, Malakpur Minor (Amritsar- Mehta Road to Tail) B/s, MBL RD 190-194 and RD 198 to 205 R/s, Khanowal Spur RD 0 to 25 B/s, Dhussi Bandh Spur RD 1 to 18 B/s, Advance Bandh (Dariya Mansoor to Wadhai Cheema) B/s Total 80 ha. Bathinda C.B. Drain RD 288-302 B/S. Lissara Drain RD 276-280 B/S. KBC RD 341-353 R/S, KBC RD 375-380 R/S, Singo Braanch RD Manas Road to Tail, Member Khera 0-11, KBC Mile No. 92-96 B/S, KBC RD 417-425 L/S, 419-425 R/S, Lalaianna Minor RD 0-Tail, Joga Minor Mansa End to Tail (Bathinda & Talwandi Range) Faridkot 1. AB Canal 341-368 B/s (20 ha Fdk Range) 2. Bikane r Canal 72.96 B/s (10 ha. Fdk Range). 3. AB Canal 543-554 L/s (10 ha Malout Range) 4. AB Canal 98-105 L/s 125 ha. Mks Range) 5. Sirhan d Feeder RD 394-434.5 R/s (18.705 ha. Lambi Range)

(ii) Map showing non-forest/ Ferozepur. Not attached degraded forest area Amritsar F.D. Attached at p. 486/c identified for CA and Bathinda Not attached adjoining forest Faridkot Attached at ps. 639- boundaries. 640/c. (iii) Detailed CA scheme Ferozepur. Scheme attached at including species to be ps. 193-200/c planted, implementing Species – Shisham, agency, time schedule, Kikar, Euc., etc. cost structure, etc. Time schedule – 10 years Cost – Rs. 6

5,09,14,770/- Amritsar F.D. Scheme attached at ps. 499-504/c. Species – Euc. Arjun, Shisham, Chak Rassia, Drek, Kikar etc. Time schedule – 10 years. Cost - Rs. 4,27,42,816/-. Bathinda Scheme attached at ps. 573-579/c. Species – Ailanthus, Cassia siamia, Shisham, Neem, Jaman, etc. Time schedule – 10 years. Cost – Rs. 2,94,50,000/-. Faridkot CA Scheme attached at ps. 641-646/c. Species – Shisham, Kikar, etc. Total cost – Rs. 3,97,59,875/- (iv) Total financial outlay for Ferozepur. Rs. 5,09,14,790/- CA (NPV+CA+ 2A.C. set (split 2 tone + One silence Generator 10 KW + One SUV (Innova) Amritsar F.D. Rs. 4,27,42,816/- Bathinda Rs. 2.94,50,000/-/- Faridkot Rs. 3,97,59,875/-

(v) Certificate from the Ferozepur. Attached at p. 201/c competent authority Amritsar F.D. Attached at p. 505/c. regarding suitability of Bathinda Attached at p. 580/c the area identified for Faridkot Attached at p. 647/c CA and from management point of view. 15. Site inspection report of Ferozepur. Attached at p. 191/c the DCF (to be enclosed) Amritsar F.D. Attached at p. 484/c. especially highlighting Bathinda Attached at p. 568/c facts asked in col. 8(xi. Faridkot Attached at p. 636/c xii), 8 and 9 above. 7

16. Catchment Area Treatment Ferozepur. Not applicable (p. 8/c) Amritsar F.D. Not applicable (p. 223/c. Bathinda Not applicable (p. 532/c) Faridkot Not applicable (p. 604/c)

17. Rehabilitation of Oustees (a) No of families Ferozepur – No displacement in the forest land. involved Amritsar – No displacement in the forest land. (b) Category of Bathinda – No displacement in the forest land. families Faridkot – No. displacement in the forest land. (c) Details of rehabilitation plan 18. Cost Benefit Ratio Ferozepur. Amritsar F.D. Attached at ps. 502- 522/c Bathinda Attached at ps. 597/c. Faridkot Attached at p. 683/c

19. Total Cost of the Project Rs. 2144.42 cr. and cost per km length is Rs. 14.31 cr. 20. Recommendation i. DFO Recommended (p. 17, 231, 540, 613/c). ii. CCF Recommended (p.19, 232, 541, 614/c) iii. Nodal Officer Recommended (p. 19, 233, 542, 615/c ) iv SG Recommended (p. 19, 234/, 543, 616/c ) 21. Division/ District profile (i) Total Geographical area Ferozepur. 5860 Sq. Km. of the district Amritsar 5.6 lac ha Bathinda 334406 ha Faridkot 57400 ha

(ii) Total Forest Ferozepur. 10649.94 ha area/Divisional Forest Amritsar distt. 9970.90 ha area Tarn Taran distt. 4800.83 ha Bathinda 6621.56 ha Faridkot 8997.48 ha

(iii) Total area diverted Ferozepur. No. of cases 132 since 1980 (78.4539 ha) Amritsar 269 cases 493.387 ha Bathinda Number of cases – 277 Area diverted – 145.42 ha Faridkot 335 cases & 8

272.75 ha area

(iv) Total compensatory afforestation stipulated in the district/division since 1980 on (a) Forest land Ferozepur. 115.0339 ha including penal Amritsar 1178.695 ha compensatory Bathinda 280.41 ha afforestation Faridkot 86.56 ha

(b) Non-forest land Ferozepur. Nil Amritsar Nil Bathinda -- Faridkot 1.71 ha

(v) Progress of Compensatory Afforestation as on date (a) Forest land Ferozepur. 47.936 ha Amritsar 627.716 ha Bathinda 184.27 ha Faridkot 82.70 ha

(b) Non-forest land Ferozepur. Nil Amritsar Nil Bathinda -- Faridkot 1.71 ha

22. Specific Ferozepur. May be accepted recommendations of the Amritsar Recommended for DCF for acceptance or approval. otherwise of the Bathinda May be accepted. proposal with reasons Faridkot May be accepted as per GOI guidelines

Other remarks:

1. Justification for locating the project in forest area: The proposed project is rehabilitation and improvement of existing road Bypasses have been proposed where ever feasible and required to avoid excess demolition of structures and displacement. Changing the whole alignment would have involved huge land acquisition. 2. Topo sheet maps and DGPS maps of the area proposed for diversion as well as for CA have not submitted. 3. Requisite documents for compliance under Scheduled Tribe & other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, as per MoEF’s guidelines dated 03.08.2009 and 05th February, 2013 have not submitted. 4. Map showing location of Protected Areas in 10 Km radius of the project has not been submitted. 5. Application for obtaining environment clearance has been submitted to MoEF and is under process. 6. 31,239 trees (8578 in Amritsar + 7390 in Firozepur + 7786 in Faridkot + 7485 in Bathinda) and 222 poles (57 in Amritsar + 165 in Raridkot) will be affected in this case. 9

7. The user agency has given an undertaking to deposit the amount of compensatory afforestation and Net Present Value.

Ferozepur Forest Division:-

1. Details of forest area involved in the proposal at p. 40/c:-

Sl. District Division Range/Teh Khasra/ Survey Forest Legal No. Village or Compartment area status of Number of Km. proposed forest Stone for area diversion (ha) 1. Ferozepur Ferozepur Ferozepur Km 163.40 to 52.0485 Protected 212.50 section Forest of (NH-15)

2. Details of non-forest area involved in the proposal at p. 41/c:-

Sl. District Division Range/Teh Khasra/ Survey Forest Legal No. Village or Compartment area status of Number of Km. proposed forest area Stone for diversion (ha) 1. Ferozepur Ferozepur Ferozepur Amritsar- - A- Bathinda Km. 163.4-212.5

3. Certificate that the forest involved in the proposal is unavoidable and barest minimum forest area at p. 42/c. 4. Undertaking for justification for location the project in forest land is required for widening of roads on Amritsar-Bathinda at p. 43/c. 5. Linear Plan at ps. 35-39/c. 6. Undertaking for payment of cost of compensatory afforestation as per prevailing wage rates at the time of undertaking the plantation activities at p.44/c. 7. Undertaking to pay the Net Present Value of forest area at p. 45/c. 8. Trees to be felled : Shisham (1062 Nos.), Kikar (455 Nos.), Euc. (3353 Nos.), Muscat (107 Nos.), Deak (251 Nos.), Khair (67 Nos.), Mulbery (69 Nos.) Misc. (2026 Nos.), Total - 7390 Nos. 9. Site inspection by DFO, Ferozepur on 25.07.2013 that the user agency has not violated the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and no work has been started without proper sanction (p. 191/c). 10. Location map of non-forest/degraded forest area identified for CA in lieu of proposal is in Forest Range: Ferozepur, Zira, Fazilka, Abohar, Jalabad as - Butewah Canal RD 65 to tail, Bikaner Canal RD Kattianwali pull to MF road B/s, Gola Minor RD 0 to tail B/s, Phidda outfall Drain Main Branch Canal RD 110-135 B/s, FF 10

road Km 19-30 B/s, ABH-Hindumal kot road Km 12-17 B/s, Pakki Link road Km Pakki to Malukpur B/s, Kular Minor RD 0 to tail B/s. Total area – 104.097 ha. 11. Scheme for Compensatory Afforestation at ps. 194-200/c. 12. Land suitability certificate by the DFO that land identified for CA is suitable for plantation from the management point of view is free from all sorts of encumbrances and encroachments (p. 201/c). 13. Undertaking for providing non-forest land or its cost equivalent to the forest area being diverted under FCA, 1980 (p. 277/c). 14. Certificate that compensatory afforestation will be carried out on various strips of Ferozepur Division. The proposed land is suitable for plantation (p. 202/c). 15. Undertaking to pay the entire amount for effected trees/poles/plants (p. 207/c) 16. Undertaking to deposit the entire amount including NPV, CA, price of affected trees & processing fees of diversion area @ Rs. 50/- sqm to the forest department for the area to be diverted.

Amritsar Forest Division:-

1. The user agency has submitted statement showing details of forest area involved in the proposal as under at p. 247/c:-

Sl. District Division Range/Teh Khasra/ Survey Forest Legal No. Village or area status of Compartment proposed forest Number of for area Km. Stone diversion (ha) 1. Amritsar Amritsar Amritsar Amritsar- 39.7619 Protected Bathinda km forest 112.575- 163.400

2. The user agency has submitted statement showing details of non-forest area involved in the proposal as under at p. 248/c:-

3. Certificate that the forest involved in the proposal is unavoidable and barest minimum forest area at p. 250/c. 4. Undertaking for justification for location the project in forest land is required for widening of roads on Amritsar-Bathinda at p. 249/c. 5. Linear Plan at ps. 244-246/c. 6. Undertaking for payment of cost of compensatory afforestation as per prevailing wage rates at the time of undertaking the plantation activities at p.251/c. 7. Undertaking to pay the Net Present Value of forest area at p. 252/c. 8. Trees to be felled : Euc (36 Nos.), Misc. (11 Nos.) and Shisham (5 Nos.). Total 52 Nos. 9. Site inspection by DFO, Amritsar on 25.07.2013 that the user agency has not violated the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and no work has been started without proper sanction (p. 484/c). 10. Location map of non-forest/degraded forest area identified for CA in lieu of proposal is in Forest Range: LBC RD 188-Tail B/s, MBL RD 89-RD 101 L/s, Gadli/Devidaspur Drain RD 0 to Tail B/s, KBL RD 125 to 135 L/s, Malakpur Minor (Amritsar-Mehta Road to Tail) B/s, MBL RD 190-194 and RD 198 to 205 R/s, Khanowal Spur RD 0 to 25 B/s, Dhussi Bandh Spur RD 1 to 18 B/s, Advance Bandh (Dariya Mansoor to Wadhai Cheema) B/s Total 80 ha. 11. Scheme for Compensatory Afforestation at ps. 499-504/c. 12. Land suitability certificate by the DFO that land identified for CA is suitable for plantation from the management point of view is free and all sorts of encumbrances and encroachments (p. 505-513/c). 13. Details of land bank (p. 514/c). 14. Certificate of existing and proposed stretches of NH-15 (NH-54 New) at p. 523/c. 15. Undertaking for payment of cost of trees standing in forest area being diverted under FCA 1980 (p. 526/c). 16. Undertaking to pay the entire amount against Greening Punjab Mission processing fees in lieu of the forest are to be diverted.

Bathinda Forest Division:-

1. Details of forest area involved in the proposal at p. 561/c:-

Sl. District Division Range/Teh Khasra/ Survey Forest Legal No. Village or Compartment area status of Number of Km. proposed forest Stone for area diversion (ha) 1. Bathinda Bathinda Bathinda On Amritsar- 30.90 ha P.F. Bathinda Bathinda km /Bathinda 266-287-650 B/S (Bathinda Goniana Road KM 4-14 B/S, Goniana Bye pass Goniana 12

Bajakhana Road KM 0-12 B/S

2. Details of non-forest area involved in the proposal at p. 562/c:-

Sl. District Division Range/Teh Khasra/ Survey Forest Legal No. Village or Compartment area status of Number of Km. proposed forest area Stone for diversion (ha) 1. Bathinda Bathinda Bathinda Amritsar- 58.21 ha Bathinda Bathinda km /Bathinda 266-287-650 B/S (Bathinda Goniana Road KM 4-12 B/S, 0-12, Goniana Bye pass KM Goniana Bajakhana Road KM 0-12 B/S)

3. Certificate that the forest involved in the proposal is unavoidable and barest minimum forest area at p. 563/c. 4. Undertaking for justification forest land along is required for widening of roads on Amritsar-Bathinda Km. 266-287-650 The area of 30.90 ha is a road side strip forest land declared as P.F. ps. 564/c. 5. Linear Plan at ps. 548/c 6. Undertaking for payment of cost of compensatory afforestation as per prevailing wage rates at the time of undertaking the plantation activities at p.565/c. 7. Undertaking to pay the Net Present Value of forest land at p. 566/c. 8. Trees to be felled: Shisham (773 Nos.), Kikar (251 Nos.), Euc. (161 Nos.), Dak (826 Nos.), Mulbery (59 Nos.), Musket (139 Nos.), Totlies (1516 Nos.), Popler (12 Nos.), Sangwan (1 No.), Misc. (3747 Nos. G. Total – 7485 Nos. 9. Site inspection by DFO, Bathinda on 05.06.2013 that the user agency has not violated the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and no work has been started without proper sanction (p. 568/c). 10. Location map of non-forest/degraded forest area identified for CA in lieu of proposal is in Village: Talwandi/Bathinda, Tehsil- Talwandi/Bathinda, Forest Division: Bathinda, Forest Range: Talwandi/Bathinda, Blocks No./Compartment No./Survey No. Talwandi Block Araea C.B. Drain RD 288-302 B/S, Lissara Drain RD 276-280 B/S, KBC RD 341-353 R/S, KBC RD 375-380 R/S, Singo Branch RD Mansa Road to Tail, Member Khera 0-11, KBC Mile No. 92-96 BS/ KBC RD 417-425 L/S, 419-425 R/S, Lalaianna Minor RD 0-Tail. Joga Minor Mansa End to Tail (Bathinda & Talwandi Range. Total area – 62 ha. (ps. 569-570/c) 13

11. Scheme attached at ps. 573-579/c. Species – Ailanthus, Cassia siamia, Shisham, Neem, Jaman, etc. Time schedule – 10 years. Cost – Rs. 2,94,50,000/-. 12. Land suitability certificate by the DFO that land identified for CA is suitable for plantation from the management point of view is free and all sorts of encumbrances and encroachments (p. 580/c). 13. Undertaking that NPV and compensatory afforestation amount of Rs. 5,68,58,300/- is due against user agency which shall be deposited after receiving in-principle approval from Central Govt. (p. 583/c). 14. Undertaking to deposit the entire amount to Forest Department as per the rates fixed by the Higher Authority from time to time. (p. 585/c) 15. Undertaking for the payment of effected trees/pole/plants (p. 586/c). 16. Undertaking for providing non-forest land or its cost equivalent to the forest area being diverted under FCA, 1980 (p. 588/c).

Fridkot Forest Division:-

1. Details of forest area involved in the proposal at p. 629/c:-

Sl. District Division Range/Teh Khasra/ Survey Forest Legal No. Village or Compartment area status of Number of Km. proposed forest Stone for area diversion (ha) 1. Faridkot Faridkot Faridkot As per map 41.8526 P.F. attached

2. Details of non-forest area involved in the proposal at p. 630/c:-

Sl. District Division Range/Teh Khasra/ Survey Forest Legal No. Village or Compartment area status of Number of Km. proposed forest area Stone for diversion (ha) 1. Faridkot Faridkot Faridkot Amritsar- 58.21 ha Bathinda km 212.5-266.0

3. Certificate that the forest involved in the proposal is unavoidable and barest minimum forest area at p. 631/c. 4. Undertaking for justification forest land along is required for widening of roads on Amritsar-Bathinda Km. 212-260.0. The area of 41.85 ha is a road side strip forest land declared as P.F. ps. 632/c. 5. Linear Plan at ps. 626-629/c. 6. Undertaking for payment of cost of compensatory afforestation as per prevailing wage rates at the time of undertaking the plantation activities at p.633/c. 7. Undertaking to pay the Net Present Value of forest land at p. 634/c. 14

8. Trees to be felled: Shisham (1312 Nos.), Kikar (439 Nos.), Euc. (680 Nos.), Drek (2385 Nos.), Musket (48 Nos.), Mulbery (36 Nos.) and Misc. (3051 Nos.) Total – 7951 Nos. 9. Site inspection by DFO, Faridkot on 08.07.2013 that the user agency has not violated the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and no work has been started without proper sanction (p. 636/c). 10. Certificate that the forest area for upgradation of 2-lane to 2/4 lane with paved shoulder from Amritsar to Sri Ganganagar section of NH-15 has been personally checked and found 7780 trees, 165 under girth pole and 41.8626 ha forest area involved due to this project. 11. Location map of non-forest/degraded forest area identified for CA in lieu of proposal is in package Faridkot Forest Division at Sri Muktsar Sahib, Vill. Faridkot, Tehsil Faridkot District Faridkot Forest Division Faridkot at Sri Muktsar Sahib Forest Range Forest No./Compartment No./Survey No. (1) AB Canal 341-368 B/s (20 ha Fdk Range) (2) Bikaner Canal 72.96 B/s (10 ha. Fdk Range), (3) AB Canal 543- 554 L/s (10 ha Malout Range), (4) AB Canal 98-105 L/s 125 ha. Mks Range), (5) Sirhand Feeder RD 394-434.5 R/s (18.705 ha. Lambi Range) 12. Scheme attached at ps. 641-646/c. Species – Shisham, Kikar, etc. Time schedule – 10 years. Cost – Rs. 3,97,59,875/-. 13. Undertaking for payment of additional Net Present Value of forest area (p. 654-655/c. 14. Undertaking for providing non-forest land or its cost equivalent to the forest area being diverted (p. 656/c). 15. Undertaking for the payment of effected trees/pole/plants (p. 658/c).

Recommendation of the Regional APCCF(C), Chandigarh (ps. 908-913/c) :

1. Date of Inspection 13.02.2014 2. Legal status of the forest land proposed Protected Forests for diversion 3. Item-wise break-up details of forest 164.563 ha forest area land proposed for diversion Division Area for Diversions (in hectare) Amritsar 39.7619 Bhatinda 30.90 Ferozepur 52.0485 Faridkot 41.8526 Total 164.5634 4. Total cost of the project at present rates Rs. 4082.93 crore 5. Whether proposal involves any No construction of buildings (including residential) or not? If yes, details thereof. 6. Wildlife: Whether forest area proposed for No diversion is important from wildlife point of view or not? Distance from WLs/NP 1.5 Km from Harike Wildlife Sanctuary. 7. Vegetation: Density 15

Amritsar 0.1 Bhatinda 0.4 Ferozepur Not given Faridkot 0.4 Total No. of trees to be felled: Total No. of trees divisions wise: Divisions: Amritsar 8049 Bhatinda 7371 Ferozepur 7394 Faridkot 7772 Total 30586 trees and 831 poles (666 in Amritsar and 165 in Faridkot)

Effect of removal of trees on the Not studied general eco-system in the area

Important Species: No. of trees to be felled of girth below 6922 60 cms. Number of trees to be felled of girth 23664 above 60 cms. 8. Background note on the proposal This is a 2/4 laning of Amritsar-Bhatinda Road 9. Compensatory Afforestation: 10. Whether land for comp. afforestation is Yes, as reported by the State Government. suitable from plantation and management point of view or not? 11. Whether land for compensatory Yes, as reported by the State Government. afforestation is free from encroachment / other encumbrances? 12. Whether land for C.A. is important No, as reported by the State Government from religious / archaeological point of view? 13. Land identified for C.A. is in how many patches? Whether patches are compact or not? A. A. Amritsar Forest Range: Area (in Ha) (i) LBC RD 188-TAIL B/s, 10 Ha (ii) MBL canal RD 89-101 L/s 10 Ha (iii) Gadli/Devidaspur Drain RD 0 to Tail 10 Ha B/s (iv) KBL Canal RD 125 to 135 B/s 5 Ha (v) Malakpur Minor 0 to Tail B/s 5 Ha (vi) MBL 190-194 R/s and 198 to 205 R/s 10 Ha (vii) Khanwal Spur 10 Ha (viii) Dhussi Bundh Rd 53-90 B/s 10 Ha (ix) Advance Bandh B/s 10 Ha Total 80 ha 16

B. Bhatinda and Talwandi Forest range: (i) C.B. Drain RD 288-302 B/s 15 Ha (ii) Lissara Drain RD 276-280 B/s 6 Ha (iii) KBC RD 341-353 R/s 7 Ha (iv) KBC 375-380 R/s 6 Ha (v) Singo Branch RD Mansa road to tail 4 Ha (vi) Member Khera 0.-11 5 Ha (vii) KBC Mile No. 92-96 B/s 5 Ha (viii) KBC Rd 417-425 L/s, 419-425 R/s 3 Ha (ix) Lalaianna Minor RD 0-Tail 3 Ha Total 62 Ha C. Faridkot Forest Range: (i) AB Canal 341-368 B/s 20 Ha (ii) Bikaner Canal 72-96 B/s 10 Ha (iii) AB Canal 543-554 L/s 10 Ha (iv) AB Canal 98-105 L/s 25 Ha (v) Sirhand Feeder RD 394-434.5 R/s 18.705 Ha Total 83.705 D. Ferozepur Forest Range: (i) Butewah canal RD 65 to Tail (ii) Bikaner Canal RD Kattianwali pull to MF road B/s (iii) Gola Minor RD 0 to Tail B/s (iv) Phidda outfall Drain (v) Main Branch Canal RD 110-135 B/s Not mentioned. (vi) FF Road Km 19-30 B/s (vii) Tarmala Minor RD 28-Tail B/s ABH-Hindumal kot road Km 12-17 Grand total 14. Map with details As shown in the proposal 15 Total amount to be remitted by the user Details in the proposal agency

16. Whether proposal involves violation of No Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. If yes, a detailed report on violation including action taken against the concerned officials. 17. Whether proposal involves No rehabilitation of displaced persons. If yes, whether rehabilitation plan has been prepared by State Govt. or not? 18. Reclamation Plan: Details and financial allocation NA 20. Details on catchment and command NA area under the project 21. Cost Benefit Ratio Details in the proposal 17

22. Recommendations of the PCCF/State Yes Government 23. Recommendations of Regional APCCF Detailed report annexed. along with detailed reasons 24. Regional APCCF shall give detailed As it is a case of widening of the existing comments on whether there are any National Highway, there are no other alternative routes/alignments for alternatives for locating the project on the locating the project on the non-forest non-forest land. land 25. Utility of the Project: Number of scheduled caste/tribe to be N.A. benefited by the project. 26. Whether land being diverted has any N.A. socio-cultural/religious value 27. Whether any scared grove or very old No. growth trees/forests exists in the area proposal for diversion 28. Whether the land under diversion No forms parts of any unique eco-system 29. Situation w.r.t. any P.A. Harike wildlife Sanctuary is 1.5 Km. from this project site. 30. Any other information relating to the No. project.

Recommendations of Regional APCCF along with detailed reasons:

The road passes through Bhatinda, Ferozepur, Faridkot and Amritsar forest divisions of Punjab. The existing road is just abutting “Harika Wildlife Sanctuary” and the expansion of road involves construction of new byepass to Harike Wildlife Sanctuary which is at a distance of 1.5 Km from the project site. Division wise break up of forest land involved in the proposal and the number of trees to be felled is shown in the site inspection report annexed. The forest area proposed for diversion for expansion of road involves strip plantation declared as Protected Forests along the road. No sacred grove or any old growth of trees/forest exists in the area proposed for expansion of the road. The plantation along road in question does not form part of any ‘eco system’. As it is a case of widening of the existing NH, there are no other alternative for locating the project on the non-forest land. Service road has been planned within and near the habitation area along the proposed road. Seven byepasses as mentioned in the proposal have been proposed to avoid thickly populated area along the existing road. Taking into consideration the heavy traffic load and density, it is recommended to consider the proposal for expansion of NH-15 from Bhatinda to Amritsar.

In view of the above facts related to the proposal, the file is submitted for further directions for submission of the proposal to FAC.

****