Guidelines under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for repair and upgradation of Roads constructed prior to 1980.... APCCF & Nodal Officer Latter Date.. 13.10.2020

The Government vide Circular under reference 1 has directed that the proposals for the upgradation of existing roads, existing before 1980 in forest areas shall be submitted to State Government for approval. In accordance with the said Government Circular, the procedural guidelines in this regard have been issued vide reference 2 above. The proposals received from Circles from time to time have already been submitted to the State Government which are under its consideration.

2. In the meanwhile, Hon'ble Minister (Forests) took review meeting in the subject matter on 07.10.2020 when Hon'ble Guardian Minister Amravati, Hon'ble State Minister (Water Resources, School Education, Woman & Child Development, Labour) and Hon'ble MLA, Melghat Assembly Constituency were also present. In the said meeting, an issue was raised by the public representative that the Forest Officials at local level do not allow even filling of potholes by using soil (माती) and other appropriate material brought from outside the forest area. This action of Forest Officials is not in conformity with the existing rules and regulations as mere filling up of potholes is not actually a fresh diversion but only a routine maintenance primarily meant for public safety is otherwise not prohibited under the FC Act 1980.

3. The attention of all CCFs and DCFs is therefore drawn in this regard that the PWD or other concerned Government agencies must not be obstructed, if they intend to fill up the potholes in the existing roads in forest area as routine maintenance, if the filling material for the said purpose is brought from outside the forests.

4. Instructions in this Communication must be treated as in addition to those contained in the Circulars under the references mentioned above.

APCCF & Nodal Officer

Copy to

The Principal Secretary (Forests), Revenue and Forests Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai-32. 

The Deputy Director General Forests (Central), MoEF&CC, Regional Office (WCZ), New Secretariat Building, Civil Lines, Nagpur.