Odisha fast-tracks forest clearance with Nodal officers

Bhubaneswar, Sep 12 (UNI) The Odisha government today decided to appoint dedicated nodal officers to process forest diversion proposals more efficiently, aiming to resolve long-pending bottlenecks in the approval of key development projects.

A high-level coordination meeting was convened during the day to review and streamline the process of forest clearance, enabling faster decision-making while ensuring compliance with conservation safeguards.
The meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Satyabrata Sahu, brought together senior officials from the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Geological Survey of India, South Eastern Railway, National Highway Authority of India, and representatives of project proponents.

The session emphasised strengthening inter-departmental coordination, simplifying procedures, and ensuring timely compliance with statutory norms. Sahu directed Regional Chief Conservators of Forests, Divisional Forest Officers, and field-level officials to proactively identify potential hurdles at early stages to prevent unnecessary project delays.

While stressing the need to balance developmental priorities with ecological safeguards, Sahu reiterated that conservation norms would not be compromised, even as clearance processes are accelerated.
Key issues such as settlement of rights under the Forest Rights Act, compensatory afforestation requirements, and accurate demarcation of forest land, delaying clearances, were discussed.
Sahu said the government is encouraging technology-driven solutions such as GIS-based mapping, digital monitoring of proposals, and time-bound inter-departmental consultations to make the system faster and more transparent.
This approach, he said, will boost infrastructure and industrial projects while safeguarding local communities and maintaining ecological balance.

The meeting also reviewed the status of seven exploratory drilling projects of the Geological Survey of India. They are Copper-Nickel and associated precious metals at Dudhiasol West Block (Similipal North Forest Division), Copper and associated precious metals at Kesharpur South Block (Similipal North Forest Division), Titanium and Vanadiferous Magnetite at Kumardubi Block (Similipal North Forest Division), Manganese and iron ore at Rudkella Block (Keonjhar Forest Division), Manganese and iron ore at Kundrupani Block (Keonjhar Forest Division), Iron ore at Kasia West Block (Keonjhar Forest Division), Nickel and associated metals at Kansa-Kumardah Sector, Sukinda Valley (Cuttack Forest Division).

Additionally, the status of 12.708 hectares of forest land diversion was reviewed for the construction of a double railway line flyover connecting MCL Railway Siding to Jharsuguda Passenger Yard and Dhutra Yard (South Eastern Railway), and Jharsuguda–Barpali–Sardega Phase-II works for coal loading connectivity at Barpali.

Sahu further directed DFOs to expedite clearances for the Capital Region Ring Road (Rameswar–Govindpur and Govindpur–Tangi), and the Ashdyke Project under Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC)