Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar gives nod for developing strategic border projects

Giving fresh impetus to improve strategic border projects, the Environment Ministry has given in-principle approval for diversion of land for constructing roads, bridges and setting up of surveillance equipment within five kilometres from international boundary.

The decision was conveyed by Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who had suggested exemption of environment clearance given to infrastructure projects falling within 100 kilometres from Line of Control, Line of Actual Control(LAC) and International Border.

In his letter, Javadekar said paramilitary organisations like Border Security Force and Sashastra Seema Bal being the first line of defence along the International Border(IB), most of their installations such as border roads, fencing, Border Out Posts, floodlights, surveillance and power infrastructure are required to be created along or near the IB. "This Ministry, therefore, agrees in-principle to grant general approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for creation of border security related infrastructure within five kilometres aerial distance from the IB," Javadekar said.

Due to the inhospitable terrain along the Line of Actual Control, installations of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police deployed along the LAC as first line defence, are required to be created at far away distance from the LAC.

For this too, the Environment Ministry has accorded general approval under the Forest Conservation Act for diversion of forest land required for infrastructure development.