Latest news with #MOEFCC
Time of India
11-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Maharashtra government seeks reports on Lotus lake wetland issue
Navi Mumbai: RTI documents reveal that the Maharashtra govt has sought comprehensive reports from the Thane district collector and CIDCO regarding dumping activities at Lotus Lake, a recognised three-hectare wetland in Nerul, Navi Mumbai. This development follows the Central govt's instructions to the State Environment Department to investigate NatConnect Foundation's complaints about CIDCO's debris disposal activities into the wetland. NatConnect Director B N Kumar submitted a grievance through the PMO public grievance portal to the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) regarding CIDCO's plans to fill the lake at Sector-27, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. The matter was acknowledged by Pankaj Verma, Scientist-F in the MOEFCC's Wetland Division, who directed state environment director Abhay Madhukar Pimparkar to handle the complaint. Through an RTI inquiry with the state Environment Department, Kumar requested details about actions following the MOEFCC directive. The department disclosed that the state requested separate reports from both authorities. Kumar noted this indicates serious official consideration of the Lotus Lake issue. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai NatConnect continues its efforts to safeguard Lotus Lake, referencing official RTI documentation that confirms its wetland designation. The lake is included amongst 564 wetlands studied by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) under state govt direction for pending wetland notification. Kumar's petition reminded MOEFCC about its instruction to preserve wetlands following the Supreme Court decision identified by the Space Application Centre under the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment. The Bombay High Court has safeguarded Lotus Lake through two PILs filed by Adv Pradeep Patole, instructing CIDCO to clear debris and the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation to tackle illegal occupations. Notwithstanding these protective measures, CIDCO engaged a private agency, owned by an influential politician, to deposit debris from the Navi Mumbai International Airport construction onto the wetland. CIDCO asserts ownership of the Lotus Lake whilst rejecting its wetland status, leading to debris dumping for commercial development purposes.
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Business Standard
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Environment ministry rejects FRA subversion charge, says facts twisted
The Environment Ministry has strongly rejected allegations by forest rights groups that it is attempting to "subvert" the Forest Rights Act (FRA), calling them a "gross misunderstanding of facts" and asserting that it remains committed to both environmental protection and the welfare of forest-dependent communities. In a recent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more than 90 forest rights organisations had accused the ministry of trying to undermine the FRA and demanded that Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav clarify his reported statement that the "FRA leads to forest degradation". The groups said the minister's remarks, published in a newspaper article on June 5, were "false, misleading, legally untenable and an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the FRA". Responding to the criticism, the ministry said in a statement: "The reference in social media to a letter alleging 'Subversion of the Forest Rights Act' reflects a gross misunderstanding of facts. MOEFCC remains committed to protecting forests, India's green cover and communities dependent on them or living in the vicinity of said areas." It said that Yadav's statement as quoted in social media has been "grossly misrepresented, distorted, represented in a piecemeal manner and is totally out of context". According to the ministry, the minister's comment referred to findings in the latest India State of Forest Report which showed a net increase in the country's forest cover, though some areas did experience degradation due to various reasons. It said this degradation could be addressed through protection measures involving local communities. "The context of the statement about increase in forest cover and halting of the degradation of forest through active involvement of the local community has been totally undermined, overlooked and misrepresented," it said. The ministry also pointed to the government's recent initiatives to work closely with tribal communities, citing direct interactions by the environment minister with the Tharu tribal community in Uttar Pradesh's Dudhwa region and the Soliga tribals in Karnataka. "These efforts ensured their active involvement in management of tiger habitats and surrounding forest areas, both of which elicited a very good response," it said. On the issue of encroachment, the ministry said it relies on data provided by state governments and Union Territories. "The status of forest encroachments remains dynamic The allegations being made that MoEFCC submits legally untenable data on encroachment in different forums is totally incorrect, unfounded and does not hold any merit." Refuting the criticism about relocation of villages from tiger reserves, the ministry said: "The point quoted about the relocation of villages from core areas of tiger reserves is devoid of merit and misrepresentation of facts. The voluntary relocation of villages is a key strategy in India's wildlife conservation efforts." It added that such relocation is conducted by state governments and governed by both the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the FRA, 2006. The ministry also defended the recent amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, now renamed Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, saying the changes were passed following constitutional and parliamentary procedures. "The allegation that Van (Sansarkhan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam has been amended, subverting the legitimacy of institutional authorities has been made without an in-depth knowledge and understanding of its various provisions," the ministry said. It pointed to Rule 11(7) of the new rules, which mandates that rights under the FRA must be settled before any forest land is diverted. The forest rights groups had also alleged that the ministry and forest bureaucracy had "stiffly resisted and disrupted" the implementation of the FRA for 16 years and that amendments to forest laws had ignored the concerns of constitutional bodies and local communities. The ministry, however, said it has been making "unprecedented attempts" to both expand India's green cover and ensure the sustainability of forest-based livelihoods. "In the interest of India's fight for a greener future, it is imperative individuals desist from deliberate misinformation and selective quoting of issues," it said.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Centre on the defensive over Congress's accusations of ‘subverting' Forest Act
Hours after former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh accused the Ministry of 'subverting' the implementation of the Forest Rights Act under the Narendra Modi-led government, the Union Environment Ministry issued a statement, saying that such references 'reflect a gross misunderstanding of facts,' adding that it remains 'committed to protecting forests, India's green cover, and communities dependent on them or living in the vicinity of said areas.' 'In the interest of India's fight for a greener future, it is imperative individuals desist from deliberate misinformation and selective quoting of issues. MOEFCC has been making unprecedented attempts to not just increase the country's green cover but also ensure sustainability for dependent communities,' it said. 150 civil society groups and activists have recently written to the Prime Minister on the systematic and consistent manner in which the Forest Right Act, 2006 has been subverted by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. They make five major points: 1.… — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 3, 2025 The Ministry's statement came on social media platform X, where hours ago, Mr. Ramesh, who is also Congress' general secretary in charge of communications, made his post, referring to a letter sent to the Prime Minister's Office by over 150 forest rights and civil society groups across the country. Legally untenable data The civil society groups, in their letter dated June 28, noted that the India State of Forest Report 2023, purportedly misattributed the loss of forest cover to the implementation of the FRA, which was allegedly reiterated by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in a media interview this June as well. They also cited a June 2024 order evicting about 65,000 families from tiger reserves and alleged that the ministry submitted 'legally untenable' data to Parliamentary fora and the National Green Tribunal. They further alleged that the 2023 amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, were 'bulldozed through Parliament' and that the Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Rules 2023, 'adversely impacted both the quantity and quality of forests.' The reference in social media to a letter alleging 'Subversion of the Forest Rights Act' reflects a gross misunderstanding of facts. MOEFCC remains committed to protecting forests, India's green cover and communities' dependent on them or living in the vicinity of said areas. It… — MoEF&CC (@moefcc) July 3, 2025 In a detailed post, rebutting these allegations, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change said, 'The statement of the Minister of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change as quoted in the social media has been grossly misrepresented, distorted, represented in a piecemeal manner and is totally out of context.' The Ministry said that Mr. Yadav's statement in the media interview was in reference to the 'net increase in the forest cover in the country as per the latest State of Forest Report, wherein degradation in some forest areas has also been observed due to a variety of reasons.' 'The statement (Minister's) underlines that such degradation in the forest cover can be addressed by adopting protection measures that are implemented with effective community involvement,' it said. It added that the statement of the Minister was 'about increasing forest cover and halting the degradation of forests through active involvement of the local community' and government bodies, further saying this 'context' had been 'totally undermined, overlooked, and misrepresented in the tweet.' Govt.'s poor track record In Mr. Ramesh's post, he said the issues raised by the civil society groups are also of 'fundamental importance' to ecological security, adding, 'The track record of the Modi Government does not inspire the confidence that these issues will even get discussed and debated with those who have been compelled to bring the PM's attention to them.' 'The allegations being made that MoEFCC submits legally untenable data on encroachment in different forums are totally incorrect, unfounded, and do not hold any merit,' the ministry said. It went on to say that the point of eviction of families from tiger reserves was 'devoid of merit and misrepresentation,' further referring to the exercise as 'voluntary relocation,' which is governed by respective laws and procedures. The Ministry went on to say that the recently published Forest Survey of India report has actually recorded a 'substantial increase in forest and tree cover,' which it said was 'suggestive' of the involvement of communities. 'The inference drawn is contrary to the factual position and totally devoid of merit,' the ministry added. On allegations of amendments to the Forest Conservation Act and the subsequent Rules, the government said these were made 'without an in-depth knowledge and understanding' of the law's provisions. It insisted that the amendment was brought in 'as per laid down Constitutional processes' and with 'due Parliamentary procedures.' The ministry further added that its 'sincere efforts' to involve community members in forest management had also been overlooked, citing its work in bringing in Tharu tribals in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (UP) and with Soliga tribals in Karnataka, both of which have 'elicited a very good response.' It added that the government is committed to ensure 'well-being and active involvement' of tribal communities in forest management by using their 'traditional knowledge and wisdom.'
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
GMLR twin tunnel: Centre grants final nod for diversion of SGNP forest land to BMC
Over a year since procuring the in-principle (Stage I) approval, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) on Tuesday granted the final approval for diversion of 19.43 hectares of forest land at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The clearance has now paved the way for the construction of the twin tunnels, which is being developed within the ambit of the ambitious Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. Pegged at a cost of nearly Rs 6500, the GMRL is an ambitious project which aims to alleviate congestion by linking Goregaon in the western suburbs to Mulund in the eastern suburbs. A crucial part of the GMLR project are the 6.65-km long twin tunnels which will start from the Film City in the western suburbs and open near Mulund's Amar Junction, which currently houses a huge slum pocket. The GMLR tunnels will surpass beneath the SGNP, covering a complex topography of hillocks, forest and farmlands. With the project slated to be constructed through the protected forest lands of SGNP, the state government had sought the Union ministry's approval. Earlier on January 2, 2024, the MOEFCC granted the in-principle clearances for the proposal after examination. On Tuesday, the Union ministry granted the final approval for the diversion of 19.43 hectares of reserves forest area to the BMC under the section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. Stage I (in-principle) approval from the central government is the first step towards diverting forest land for non-forest purposes, followed by Stage II clearances. Officials maintained that even as the land parcel has been transferred to the civic body, it continues to hold the legal status of forest land. With the tunnel raking under the SGNP — at a depth of 20 to 160 metres — no trees are expected to be impacted during the course of the project construction. Meanwhile, the civic body has prepared an alternative afforestation plan as per the Forest Act. For the total forest land acquired, over 19.5 hectares of non-forest area in Chandrapur district will undergo plantation and maintenance. Being tucked in an ecologically sensitive zone, the GMLR project has also undergone a slew of studies ranging including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), environmental, biological studies by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) etc. as well as engineering, geotechnical studies. Since the tunnel is aligned between the Tulsi and Vehar lakes, the project has also undergone hydrological studies. Upon completion, the GMLR project is projected to be estimated to reduce the travel time between the eastern and western suburbs from 75 minutes to 25 minutes. The project is estimated to be completed by October 2028.
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Crucial stage 1 approval granted for north phase of coastal road
IN A boost to the second phase of Mumbai Coastal Road Project, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted the Stage-1 (in-principle) approval for the mangrove forest diversion proposal for the development of the project. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is now set to approach the High Court, whose approval will pave the way for the construction of the next phase of the project which spans from Versova to Bhayandar. A crucial clearance for the civic body, the stage 1 approval was granted on June 19. Set to connect Versova in the western suburbs with the satellite city of Bhayandar, the north phase of the Coastal Road Project encompasses interchanges, elevated roads and twin tunnels. The mega project passes through land and creeks with most of the area falling under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). Nearly 8.24 hectares of mangrove forest area will be permanently affected to develop the project with at least 9,000 mangrove trees set to be cut and over 36,000 mangrove trees to be affected. So far, the civic body has procured environmental clearances and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the central as well as the state government for the project. In November 2024, the CRZ permissions were acquired from the union ministry of environment, forest and climate change. Having now procured the in-principle Stage 1 approvals for the mangrove forest land diversion from the MOEFCC, the BMC is set to approach the High Court to acquire their permissions. For perspective, the Stage 1 (in-principle) approvals from the central government is the first step towards diverting forest land for non-forest purposes, followed by Stage 2 clearances. According to civic officials, the actual work on the project will commence after the working permissions from the High Court is acquired. Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior official said, 'We have already acquired permissions such as from the CRZ. On June 19, we also received the stage 1 in-principle clearance from MOEFCC which marks a crucial approval for the project. After this, we will now approach the High Court, who will grant the permission. Following this, once the working permission is acquired, we will commence the project works. Eventually, the stage 2 clearance will be granted.' Earlier on June 27, the chief minister's office (CMO) directed the BMC to complete land acquisition for the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (Phase 2) within the next 15 days. For the said project, the BMC will be reclaiming 165 hectares of land between Versova and Bhayander. On Tuesday, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar also took a review meeting of the developments with senior civic officials from the bridge department. The project is proposed to reduce the current travel time between Versova and Bhayandar of 90 – 120 minutes to a mere 20 minutes. Amid large parcels of mangrove forests pegged to be impacted for the project, the Mumbai Mangrove Cell (MMC) has charted a comprehensive plan to compensate for the mangrove trees in a project, which will be implemented by the Mangrove Cell. As per the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority norms, over 1.37 lakh mangrove trees are proposed to be planted while the BMC is also set to implement a comprehensive mangrove restoration plan. Meanwhile, the civic body has also charted plans to establish a nursery to develop new mangrove trees while MMF will carry out afforestation of mangrove trees over 31 hectares of land in Bhayandar Gaon. Besides this, the BMC will also transfer non-forest areas of equal proportion for forest development. Pegged at an estimated cost of Rs. 20,000 crore, the proposed second phase of the coastal road has been divided into six different packages. Package A will cover 4.5 KMs between Versova and Bangur Nagar (Goregaon), package B will cover 1.66 KM between Bangur Nagar and Mindspace (Malad). The packages C and D will include twin tunnels – 3.9 KM long – connecting mindspace at Malad with Charkop in Kandivali. Package E will be 3.78 KMs, connecting Charkop with Gorai and the final package F will be 3.69 KMs will connect Gorai with Dahisar. From Dahisar, the civic authorities are constructing another 5.6 KM elevated corridor that will extend till Bhayander at Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
