Forest Advisory Committee recommends Panari pumped storage project in tiger corridor
The Environment Ministry's Forest Advisory Committee has recommended in-principle approval for the 1,800 MW Panari Pumped Storage Project in Madhya Pradesh. It would divert 511.91 hectares of forest in the Panna-Ranipur Tiger Corridor. The minutes put 211.7 hectares in an NTCA-approved corridor of the Panna Tiger Reserve. About 1.32 lakh trees would be felled. The Centre has yet to decide.
Syllabus: Prelims · Environment & Ecology; GS3 · Infrastructure; GS3 · Environment & Conservation
Why this matters for UPSC
GS3 environment: forest clearance under the Van Adhiniyam, 1980 and tiger corridors. Prelims can ask the roles of the FAC, NTCA and NBWL; Mains, energy storage against wildlife habitat.
Why it matters
Tigers, leopards, dholes, wolves and sloth bears use this belt of forest in Panna and Satna to move between reserves. If the reservoirs and works cut the corridor, these animals lose a safe passage. The overpasses and other conditions are meant to keep that path open, so whether they are built and checked decides the outcome. On the other side, a pumped storage plant lets the grid hold power when demand is low and release it when demand rises, which keeps supply steady. The case shows the trade-off India faces between storing energy and keeping wildlife habitats connected.
Prelims pointers
- The Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 needs the Centre's prior approval before a State de-reserves a forest or leases forest land to any private person or agency.
- Under the Van Rules, 2023, the Advisory Committee includes three non-official experts, one each from ecology, engineering and development economics.
- Under the Van Rules, 2023, Regional Offices handle most proposals up to forty hectares; hydroelectric projects above 25 MW go to the Central Government.
- Under the Van Rules, 2023, a State may let a linear project start work before final approval, through 'working permission' granted after in-principle approval once set conditions are met.
- The NTCA approves the tiger conservation plan prepared by the State Government and may issue written directions that officers and authorities must follow.
Practise a UPSC-style question
With reference to the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, consider the following statements:
1. The Advisory Committee constituted under the Adhiniyam grants the final approval for using forest land for a non-forest purpose.
2. A State Government needs the Central Government's prior approval to permit the use of forest land for a non-forest purpose.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show the answer
Answer: (b) 2 only
Answer: (b) 2 only. The Advisory Committee advises; the approval itself belongs to the Central Government.
Statement 1: incorrect. The Adhiniyam lets the Centre constitute an Advisory Committee to advise it on approvals; the Central Government grants in-principle and final approval.
Statement 2: correct. The Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 bars any State Government or authority from allowing non-forest use of forest land without the Centre's prior approval.
Eliminate: Be sure of statement 1 first: the committee advises and does not approve, so it is incorrect. Out: (a), (c).
Eliminate: Statement 2 is the Adhiniyam's core bar on States, so it is correct. Out: (d).
Trap: Swapped attribution. The power to approve is pinned on the advisory body that only recommends, as the Forest Advisory Committee did for the Panari project.
Remember: Advisory Committee recommends; Central Government approves forest diversion under the Van Adhiniyam, 1980.
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