8,000 projects granted forest clearance in 5 yrs: Report

New Delhi : Trashing the allegation that environmental considerations are proving to be an impediment in India’s growth, as a recent study has found that the Environment Ministry has cleared an “unprecedented number" of infrastructure projects in the last five years.

In the report, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has analysed environment and forest clearances granted by the ministry in the the 11th Plan. The study looked at five key sectors – thermal power, hydropower, cement, iron and steel and mining. It found that that the period from 2007 till August 2011 saw 8,284 projects being granted forest clearance and 203,576 hectare of forest land diverted for the purpose.