20K-25K hectare of forest diverted for non-forest activities:

The rate of diversion of forest land for non-forestry activities is roughly 20,000-25,000 hectare per year in the country, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Forest land diversion is allowed only after checking that the activity concerned is site specific and cannot be carried anywhere else, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said in a written reply.
"At present, the rate of diversion of forest land for non-forestry activities in the entire country is roughly 20,000-25,000 hectare per year," Javadekar said.
He said barring central PSU projects and other exempt categories, all project proponents give alternative revenue/non-forest land for compensatory afforestation.
"Thus, forest land increased roughly by about 18,635 hectares in the last three years. The process of diversion of forest for various development activities is an ongoing process," Javadekar said.

The government of State/UT concerned scrutinises proposals received for diversion of forest land and only the proposals duly recommended by the government of State/UT concerned are considered by the ministry (including its regional offices) under the provision of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, he said.
"Use of forest areas for activities are approved by the central government under section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 with adequate safeguards and compensatory afforestation measures in lieu of forest land proposed to be utilised for developmental activities," the minister said.