**Summary:**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3509, posed on August 11, 2025, regarding the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes, specifically addressing the acreage of green belt or forest land permitted for swapping, change of use, green belt exchange, or development by the private sector, as well as the names of the top fifty companies permitted and the acreage allocated to them.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, stated that proposals for the use of forest land for non-forestry purposes, duly recommended by the State Government/Union Territory Administration and seeking prior approval of the Central Government under the Van Sanrakashan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980, are examined according to the Act's provisions, rules, and guidelines. The processing of these proposals is conducted online through the PARIVESH portal. The Ministry does not maintain the specific information requested concerning the acreage granted to private sector projects or a list of the top fifty companies and their allocated acreage.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for environmental and forestry matters.
MS MAHUA MOITRA: Member of Parliament who posed the question regarding diversion of forest land.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE who provided the answer.
State Government Union Territory Administration: State and Union Territory level administrations responsible for recommending proposals for use of forest land.
Central Government, 1980: The Central Government of India, specifically referencing actions and regulations from 1980 related to forest land use.
Van Sanrakashan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980: Act related to forest conservation and development, enacted in 1980.
PARIVESH: Pro Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single window Hub portal used for processing proposals related to forest land diversion.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3509
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
Diversion of Forest Land
3509: MS MAHUA MOITRA
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of acres of green belt or forest land permitted for swapping, change of
use, green belt exchange or even development by the private sector for any sort of
projects; and
(b) the names of the top fifty companies permitted and the acreage given to them?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) & (b) The proposals for use of forest land for non-forestry purposes duly recommended
by the State Government /Union Territory Administration, for seeking prior
approval of the Central Government, 1980, are examined as per the provisions
of Van (Sanrakashan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and Rules and
Guidelines thereunder.
The proposals for use of forest land for non-forestry purposes are processed
online through PARIVESH (“Pro Active and Responsive facilitation by
Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single window Hub”) portal.
Information as asked for is not maintained in the Ministry.
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