Steps apace for regeneration of forests in Kishtwar: Lal Singh
Minister of State for Power, Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi today told the Legislative Council that Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Ltd (CVPPL) have paid Rs 432 crore compensation for forest land, to be acquired for Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar.
Replying to a question by Firdous Ahmad Tak in the upper house, the Minister said CVPPL paid compensation of over Rs 17.80 crore for 146.66 hectares of forest land on the right bank of Marusudar River as cost of land, compensatory afforestation and compensation for trees. He said that Rs 178.20 crore have also been provided as compensation for forest land of 195 hectare on left bank of Marusudar River which included 189 hectares land of Kishtwar High Altitude National Park.
The Minister informed that compensation paid by CVPPL also included a fund of Rs 236 crore for protection and conservation of wildlife areas.
Responding to the supplementary question of the member, the Minister for Forests Chaudhary Lal Singh said though the funds allotted for regeneration of forests are meager, but efforts are being made to develop the vacant forest land under CAMPA also. He said the government would take appropriate steps for afforestation and regeneration of forest land affected by construction of various developmental projects in Kishtwar district.