Reserved Forests Land

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1 AGENA ITEM NO. 1 Diversion of ha (including 6.68 ha of area for re-diversion which falls in sea bird, naval base project area) of forest land in Karwar-Honnavar-Kundapura Division for 4/6 laning of Goa Karnataka Border-Kundapura Section of NH-66 (NH-17) ( km to km) in favour of the project Director, National Highways Authority of India, Project Implementation Unit, Mangalore in the State of Karnataka. F. No. 8-78/2013-FC 1. The State Government of Karnataka vide their letter No. FEE 67 FLL 2013 dated has submitted a proposal seeking prior approval of the Central Government under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of ha (including 6.68 ha of area for re-diversion which falls in sea bird, naval base project area) of forest land in Karwar-Honnavar-Kundapura Division for 4/6 laning of Goa Karnataka Border- Kundapura Section of NH-66 (NH-17) ( km to km) in favour of the project Director, National Highways Authority of India, Project Implementation Unit, Mangalore. 2. The project road section is a part of NH 66 (Formely NH-17) and lies between chainage from Km 93.7 to Km Km involving total length of Km. The project road section is located between the Arabian Sea coast and Western Ghats. It is an important highway which connects States of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. 3. The existing road has two lane carriage way with width varying between 7.0 m to 10.0 m (in build up area). The road transverse through plain, rolling and mountain terrains. The available Right of Way varies between 11 m (mountainous region) to 45 m (plain terrain). The existing road has sharp horizontal turns and the gradient which does not satisfy the standard of IRS;73. The condition of existing pavement varies from poor to good. 4. Proposal envisage upgradation of existing road to four lane dual carriage way. The proposed RoW is 60 m and design length of the road is km. Suffiecient cross drainage structures are proposed to maintain natural drainage pattern of the project area. 5. In Kundapur Forest Division, the existing RoW width as per PWD records is 45 meters. However, KUndapur Forest Department informed that existing RoW as per the records of Forest Department is 15 m and accordingly, joint inspection of the area was carried out and area of forest land required for the project was worked out. 6. Facts related to the proposal, as indicated in the State Government letter dated are given below: FACT SHEET 1. Name of the Proposal Diversion of ha (including 6.68 ha of area for re-diversion which falls in sea bird, naval base project area) of forest land in Karwar-Honnavar- Kundapura Division for 4/6 laning of Goa Karnataka Border-Kundapura Section of NH-66 (NH-17) ( km to km) in favour of the project Director, National Highways Authority of India, Project Implementation Unit, Mangalore 2. Location

2 (i) (ii) State District Karnataka Uttara-Kannada/North Kanara/Udupi 3. Particulars of Forests: (i) Name of Forest Division and Forest area involved. Forest Division Area(ha) Karwar Honnavar Kundapura Total = ha (ii) Legal status/sy.no. (iii) Map Reserved Forests Land A. SOI Toposheets Karwar 94/c Honnavar 381/- Kundapura 33/c DGPS Map coordinates of the area proposed for diversion has been submitted and the same has been depicted on the Google map. However, soft copy of the Digital map has not been submitted. 10 Km radius map not submitted Forest cover map not submitted CA area map Topography of the area - 4. (i) Geology (ii) Vulnerability to erosion 5. (i) Vegetation (ii) Density - Karwar: The proposed area is of mountainous terrains and has number of sharp turns. If this area is cut for road widening purpose the adjacent forest area will be highly susceptible to soil erosion. Honnavar: The proposed area is moderate to gentle slope, not prone to erosion. Kundapura: The land is flat and there is very little chance of vulnerability for soil erosion. Sissum, Teak, Honne, Jungli, Acacia, Matti, Kindal, Gojjal, Nilgiri, Acacia, Matti, Nilagiri, Gojjalu, Mavu, Char, Kavalu, Nerala, Jungli, Bakula, Halasu, Atti, Kindala, Holageri, Honne, Geru, Gali, Muragal, Ala, Arali, Feltofarm, Teak, Bhagani, Hali, Bhural, Murgalu, Athi, Bagari, Geru, Kasarka, Hippe, Vate, Heddi, Auntuwala, Tari, Kaval, Matti, Kindal, Gojjal, Halasu, Hone, Ashoka, Aal, Baswan pad, Arali, etc. Karwar 0.25 (Eco Class I) Honnavar 0.1 (0.25 reported by RO) Kundapura 0.1 to 0.3

3 (iii) No. of trees to be felled 6. Whether area is significant from wildlife point of view 7. Whether forms part of National park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Corridor, etc. (if so, details of the area and comments of the Chief Wildlife Warden 8. Whether any RET species of flora and fauna are found in the area. If so details thereof 9. Approximate distance of the proposed site for diversion from boundary of forest. 10. Whether any protected archaeological/ heritage site/defence establishment or any other important monuments is located in the area. 11. Whether any work of in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 has been carried out (Yes/No). If yes details of the same including period of work done, action taken on erring officials. Whether work in violation is still in progress. 12. Whether the requirement of forest land as proposed by the user agency in col. 2 of Part-I is unavoidable and barest minimum for the project, if no Karwar: 7872 ( bamboos) Honnavar: 6000 Kundapura 406 Total No The proposed area does not form part of National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, Tiger Reserve, etc. No rare/endangered/unique species of flora and fauna have been found/recorded in the area. Karwar: In some areas the proposed highway passes adjacent to forest area and some areas passes through the forest area. Honnavar: The proposed area is adjacent to forest land. Kundapura: The road is passing through the Reserve Forests of Byndoor RF Extn Block & Sarpanamane RF of Byndoor Range and Gujjady Block of Kundapura Range and it is almost touching the forest boundaries in many areas. Karwar: The proposed ha forest area falls in Seabird naval base Project area which is diverted as per G. O. No FRY (COMS) dtd: and FFD-47FGL-84 dtd: Honnavar: There is no protected archaeological/heritage site/defense establishment in the proposed area. Kundapura: There is no protected archaeological/heritage site/defense establishment in the proposed area. No Yes, the requirement of land is unavoidable and barest minimum.

4 recommended area item-wise with details of alternatives examined. 13. Whether clearance under the Environment (protection) Act, 1986 is required? 14. Compensatory Afforestation CA has been proposed over double degraded forest land (i) Details of non-forest area/degraded forest area identified for CA, its distance from adjoining forest, number of patches, sixe of each patches. (ii) Map showing nonforest/degraded forest area identified for CA and adjoining forest boundaries. (iii) Detailed CA scheme including species to be planted, implementing agency, time schedule, cost structure, etc. (iv) Total financial outlay for CA (v) Certificate from the competent authority regarding suitability of the area identified for CA and from management point of view. 15. Catchment Area Treatment 16. Rehabilitation of Oustees a) No of families involved b) Category of families c) Details of rehabilitation plan Karwar: The Deputy Commissioner, Uttara- Kannada, Karwar has given a certificate that no suitable non-forest land is available for raising compensatory Afforestation in lieu of proposed forest land for diversion on lease. And also no suitable degraded forest land is available in this division. Honnovar: N/A Kundapura: Since, this is Government of India project, it is exempted from providing non forest area for raising of Compensatory Afforestation as per the Forest (Conservation) Act Guidelines chapter III-3.3 So double the area for Compensatory Afforestation is identified in degraded forest area. Not submitted Not submitted Karwar: Lakhs Honnovar: --- Kundapura: 39,52,000/- Not submitted 1132 (As per R& R number of affected families is 2121). -- R& R Plan has been submitted.

5 17. Compliance of Scheduled tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, Environment clearance Yes A certificate, along with the copies of resolutions of the concerned Gram Sabha(s), issued by the concerned DCFs certifying that process of settlement of rights under the Scheduled tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 has been completed in accordance with the MoEF s advisory dated has been submitted by the State Government. However, certificate from the District Collector, as required under the provisions of the MoEF s advisory dated has not been submitted. 19. Cost Benefit Ratio 60/c 20. Total Cost of the Project 1736 Crores 21. Recommendation i. DFO ii. CCF iii. Nodal Officer iv SG 22. District Profile (i) Total Geographical area of Karwar the district Honnavar Kundapura Sq. Km Sq. Kms Sq. Kms. (ii) Total Forest area/divisional Forest area Karwar Honnavar Kundapura Sq. Km Sq. Km Sq. Kms. (iii) Total area diverted since 1980 Karwar ha (Total cases 50) Honnavar ha (Total cases 27) Kundapura ha (Total cases 27) (iv) Total CA stipulated since 1980 (Forest land) Karwar: Forest Land Non Forest Land Honnavar: ha ha ha Site Inspection Report by the Regional Office, Bangalore 1. Legal status of the forest land proposed for diversion: 2. Itemwise break-up details of the forest land proposed for diversion: Reserve forest in the Karwar, Honnavar and Kundapur divisions Proposal is for diversion of forest land along the existing National Highway in a linear form. Width of diversion varies from 30m to 48m along the existing road. 1. Karwar. kms 93.7 to 151 (length of 57.3

6 3. Whether proposal involves any construction of buildings (including residential) or not. If yes, details thereof: kms) ha 2. Honnavar Kms 151 to 242 (length of 91 kms) ha 3. Kundapur Kms 242 to (length of 41.3 kms) ha This proposal is for widening of existing National Highway from 2 lane to 4 lane and does not involve any construction of buildings except construction of temporary structures for toll plaza and others. Constructions of civil structures like Bridges, Culverts, Flyovers, etc., which are part of the expansion of the National Highway. Rs.1736 crores 4. Total cost of the project at present rates: 5. Wildlife: Though this is a linear project situated and runs along the west coast, the adjoining forests are habitat for Tiger, Leopards, Elephant, reptiles like King Cobra, Cobra, etc. As per the recent draft notification for ecosensitive zone for the protected areas of State of Goa, issued by MoEF, the boundary of the ecosensitive zone has been proposed for a length of 3 kms from the Sanctuary boundary. As reported by the DFO, Karwar, Cotigaon Wildlife Sanctuary is at a distance of 5 kms from the boundary of the Karnataka State (Km 93 stone). 6. Vegetation: The proposed forest area for diversion Is for the widening of NH 66 and this road exists since very long. During the inspection, it was noticed that in most of the places, in place of natural vegetation, manmade forests have come up. Common tree species which are to be felled/ removed for widening of this road are Cashew, Casuarina equisetifolia, Acacia auriculiformis, Peltophorum ferrugineua, Mango, Tectona grandis, Eucalyptus, Vatria indica, etc. 1. Karwar Division:- As reported by the DFO, the density of vegetation is more than 0.25 and Eco-Class I, which falls in the Western Ghats region. Due to the diversion of ha of forest land for widening of National Highway involves removal of 7872 trees of various species and 111 nos of bamboos. 2. Honnavar Division:- As reported by DFO, the density of vegetation is 0.25 (Eco-Class I). Due to the diversion of ha. of forest land for widening of National Highway involves removal of 6000 trees of various species.

7 7. Background note on the proposal: 3. Kundapura Division:- As reported by DFO, the density of vegetation is 0.1 to 0.3 (Ecoclass I open forest). Due to the diversion ha of forest land for widening of NH 66, involves removal of 406 trees of various species. This proposal is for widening of existing National Highway 66 from 2 lane to 4 lane. This road runs along the west coast from Mumbai to Kanyakumari and it s a life line for the development of the coastal districts of North Kanara, Udupi and Mangalore in Karnataka State, Goa and Kerala. This road passes through the two forest circles viz., Canara Circle and Mangalore Circle. Karwar Division and Honnavar division are in the Canara Circle and Kundapur division is in Mangalore circle. The project road section is part of NH-66 (formerly NH-17) and lies between chinage Km (Goa-Karnataka border in State of Karnataka) and Km (Kundapur, Karnataka). The total length of the project road is kms. The existing road has 2 lane carriage ways with available Right of Way varying between 12m to 30m in the forest area and the road traverses through plain, rolling and mountainous terrains. Now it is proposed to upgrade the existing 2 lane carriage way to 4 lane carriage way with a. width of 60 m ROW and design length of the project road comes down to kms with realignment of the new road at certain places 8. Compensatory afforestation: It is reported by DFO, Karwar and DFO, Honnavar, since this is a Government of India project, as per para 3.2 (ix) (a) of FC guidelines, Compensatory afforestation will be raised in degraded forest land twice in extent of forest area being diverted. But, Deputy Commissioner has given a certificate that no suitable non-forest land or degraded forest land is available for raising CA in the division. Hence CA land is yet to be identified in the other division. DFO, Kundapur division has proposed to carry out Compensatory Afforestation in 26 ha of degraded forest land in Sy.No.263/1P127 in Savanthagudde

8 9. Whether proposal involves violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 or not. If yes, a detailed report on violation including action taken against the concerned officials: 10. Whether proposal involves rehabilitation of displaced persons. If yes, whether rehabilitation plan has been prepared by the State Government or not: RF of Byndoor Range. 11. Reclamation Plan: Not applicable 12. Details on catchment and command area under the project: 13. Cost benefit ratio: NA 14. Recommendations of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests/State Government: 15. Recommendations of Regional Chief Conservator of Forests along with detailed reasons: The user agency has given undertaking to bear the cost of raising compensatory afforestation over double the degraded forest land. No violation involved Since this proposal involves diversion of forest land all along the National Highway 66, no rehabilitation of displaced people are involved in the forest area. Due to the widening of National Highway, some of the forest department staff quarters, compound walls of the forest offices/quarters, forest check post, etc., situated next to the existing road are getting affected, for which User agency has to pay for the construction of new ones. Not Applicable since it is a linear strip along the west coast. PCCF, Karnataka and State Government have recommended the proposal. This proposal is for widening of existing National Highway 66 from 2 lane to 4 lane. This road runs along the west coast from Mumbai to Kanyakumari and it s a life line for the development of the coastal districts of North Kanara, Udupi and Mangalore in Karnataka State, Goa and Kerala. Regarding compensatory afforestation, since the Canara district, in which Karwar and Honnavar divisions fall (km to 151 and km 151 to 242) is having more than 80% forest area, DFOs have reported that non-forest land and also degraded forest land are not available in their divisions to carry out Compensatory afforestation. In this regard, PCCF, Karnataka has reported that the area for CA over double the degraded forest land shall be identified outside the district within the State of Karnataka.

9 16. Regional Chief Conservator of Forests shall give detailed comments on whether there are any alternatives routes/alignments for locating the project on the non-forest land: Since it is a national highway project and will help in the development of coastal districts by providing easy and quicker communication, the project may be considered favorably in the public interest subject to following conditions:- (1). As and when the construction of road is completed, both in the forest and non-forest area the road side avenue plantation shall be carried out by the Forest Department at the cost of User Agency. (2). Since the area for diversion includes 6.68 ha of area for re-diversion, which falls in Sea bird, Naval Base project area, an NOC from them will have to be submitted by the User Agency. (3) ROFR Certificates from the Competent Authority shall be submitted by the User Agency as per MoEF guidelines dtd (4) Wherever fragmentation of forests happens due to the diversion of forest land, suitable underpasses may be provided for the movement of wildlife in consultation with local DFO. It is the widening of existing National Highway. 17. Utility of the Project: This proposal is for widening of existing National Highway 66 from 2 lane to 4 lane. This road runs along the west coast from Mumbai to Kanyakumari and it s a life line for the development of the coastal districts of North Kanara, Udupi and Mangalore in Karnataka State, Goa and Kerala. 18. Whether land being diverted has any socio-cultural/religious value: Not applicable 19. Situation w.r.t. any P.A. Diversion of forest land in this proposal is not part of National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary, Bio-sphere reserve, Elephant corridor. 20. Any other information relating to the Project: The State Government has recommended the proposal without any specific condition. Nil

10 The Addl. PCCF, Regional Office, Bangalore has recommended the proposal subject to certain conditions. In view of the above facts, if approved, the proposal may be submitted to the FAC for its consideration in its next meeting. ***