Government today said that National Wildlife Board has cleared 81 projects in the past six months, of which nine fall under various tiger reserves and 27 are close to 10km of wildlife sanctuaries.
"National Board for Wildlife in its standing Committee meetings cleared 81 projects in past six months, that is since January till date. Out of the projects cleared, nine fall under tiger reserves and 27 are close to 10 km area of wildlife sanctuaries," Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
The minister said that there is pressure on land for various activities including construction. "Before carrying out any large scale construction activities, necessary clearances have to be obtained from the Ministry," the minister said.
In another reply, he said that as per India State of Forest Report-2013, there has been a total increase of 5,871 square kilometer in the forest cover of the country as compared with India State of Forest Report-2011.
