The document outlines the work plan for forest crop assessment of the Tara Coal Block in Madhya Pradesh, India. It details the methodology, including constituting two teams to take measurements in 73 sample plots over two days using equipment such as a wedge prism and Haga altimeter to determine basal area, height of dominant trees, and site quality. The teams will leave early morning on the 21st of May and require vehicles, motorbikes, and supplies to complete the long-day field work before the onset of monsoon season.

1. Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 -
Tree Enumeration, Forest Crop Assessment,
Biodiversity Indexing, Basal Area Determination,
Photography & Videography
By
Ravindra Nath Saxena
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,
Madhya Pradesh, India

2. Landscape & Zonation At;as of M.P.

3. Tara
Coal
Block
FOREST COVER MAP OF SURGUJA & PROJECT LOCATION

4. Location of the Tara Coal Block &
1320 M.W. T.P.P. of I.C.P.L.
Tara Coal Block
located at the
fringe of Hasdeo
Arand
ICPL Power
Plant site

5. Typical Forest Stock Map with Legends

6. Grid of Sample Plots for Tree Enumeration

7. Sample Plots & Biodiversity indexing

8. Work Plan for the Basal Area Calculation, Height
Determination of Stands and Video-graphy of
Tara Coal Block
1. As decided in the inspection by “Forest Appraisal Committee” on 15th May, 2011;
the following forest crop assessment exercise shall be undertaken on 21 and 22
May, 2011. These dates have been selected to finish the job before onset of
monsoon.
2. The crop assessment shall be carried out on the basis of following parameters:
• Basal Area Calculation by use of Wedge Prism and analysis of crop in the context
of “Sal Yield Table”.
• Height Determination of Stands by Haga Altimeter to determine Site Quality and
ultimate calculation of “Growing Stock”.
• Video-graphy and still photography of 73 sample plots.

9. 3. Methodology:
To expedite the crop assessment operations, 2 teams shall be constituted.
Carrying all equipments for crop assessment purposes.
• Team Leaders shall determine the intersection of 73 sample plots (Sh. Patra to carry Garmin
GPS with him). At the intersection 2 teams shall take readings of Wedge Prism and Haga
Altimeter. Each team would require 2 persons for recording readings of Wedge Prism and
Haga Altimeter; 1 person for showing placard of sample plot / compartment number. The
working hours are likely to be long, thus it is proposed to keep some persons in reserve
also. Both the teams require at least 3 persons through the day in fighting fit physical
conditions.
• The teams would cover at least some sample plots of all the compartments. Don’t want to
provide a chance to “Forest Appraisal Committee” (FAC) to doubt our credentials.
• The teams shall leave Ambikapur by 7.00hrs on 21st May, 2011.For travelling the teams shall
require 2 vehicles (one may be Mahindra diesel jeep for faster travel inside forests). The
teams shall require 2 motorbikes to travel inside forest fast.
• Each team shall require 1 attendant to carry bags, records and other things.
• Requested to arrange water (including water bottles), cold drinks and some snacks at the
site; because this is summer and long working hours may require fresh doze of energy
frequently.
• Would do video-graphy myself and still photography shall be carried out by my team mate.

10. Sample Points (Old) New Points Compartment No
Degree Lat. & Long UTM Co-ordinates (44N)
Date of Exercise
Wedge Prism Counting
Wedge Prism Factor Basal areasqmeter per ha.
Average height of dominant trees (determined by
Hagaaltimeter)
Latitude Longitude Easting Northing Full Tally Half Tally Zero Tally Total
65 1 1992 22° 52'30" 82° 44'00" 677816.8145 2530728.168 22.05.2011 3.00 10.00 42.00 8.00 1.00 8.00 14.16
66 2 1992 22° 52'30" 82° 43'45" 677389.3473 2530723.145
67 3 1992 22° 52'30" 82° 43'30" 676961.7781 2530718.134
68 4 1992 22° 52'30" 82° 43'15" 676534.2096 2530713.135 22.05.2011 5.00 11.00 28.00 10.50 1.00 10.50 15.93
69 5 1992 22° 52'30" 82° 43'00" 676106.7443 2530708.148
70 6 Rev 22° 52'30" 82° 42'45" 675679.1771 2530703.173
58 7 1993 22° 52'15" 82° 44'45" 679104.8921 2530281.881
59 8 1993 22° 52'15" 82° 44'30" 678677.4098 2530276.823 22.05.2011 4.00 14.00 37.00 18.00 1.00 18.00 13.56
60 9 1992 22° 52'15" 82° 44'15" 678249.8256 2530271.776 22.05.2011 8.00 16.00 32.00 16.00 1.00 16.00 14.27
62 10 1992 22° 52'15" 82° 43'45" 677394.7617 2530261.72
71 11 1992 22° 52'15" 82° 43'15" 676539.5978 2530251.71
63 12 Rev 22° 52'15" 82° 43'00" 676112.1195 2530246.725
64 13 1932 22° 52'15" 82° 42'45" 675684.5392 2530241.75
55 14 Rev 22° 52'00" 82° 44'45" 679110.3565 2529820.564
56 15 Rev 22° 52'00" 82° 44'30" 678682.8612 2529815.506
57 16 Rev 22° 52'00" 82° 44'15" 678255.2639 2529810.46
2 17 1992 22° 52' 00" 82° 44' 00" 677827.6672 2529805.426
1 18 1992 22° 52' 00" 82° 43' 45" 677400.1739 2529800.405
72 19 Rev 22° 52'00" 82° 43'00" 676117.4925 2529785.412
9 20 1982 22° 51' 45" 82° 45'00" 679543.433 2529364.205 22.05.2011 14.00 21.00 42.00 24.50 1.00 24.50 15.37
8 21 1983 22° 51' 45" 82° 44'30" 678688.3129 2529354.079 22.05.2011 12.00 18.00 34.00 21.00 1.00 21.00 15.94
7 22 1983 22° 51' 45" 82° 44'15" 678260.7025 2529349.033
6 23 1983 22° 51' 45" 82° 44'00" 677833.0928 2529343.999
5 24 1983 22° 51' 45" 82° 43'50" 677405.5864 2529338.979
4 25 1983 22° 51' 45" 82° 43'30" 676977.9781 2529333.97
3 26 1932 22° 51' 45" 82° 43' 00" 676122.8659 2529323.988
17 27 1982 22° 51'30" 82° 45'00" 679548.9099 2528902.776 22.05.2011 11.00 16.00 42.00 19.00 1.00 19.00 16.25
16 28 1982 22° 51'30" 82° 44'45" 679121.2851 2528897.707
15 29 1983 22° 51'30" 82° 44'30" 678693.7637 2528892.651 21.05.2011 8.00 18.00 39.00 17.00 1.00 17.00 16.51
14 30 1983 22° 51'30" 82° 44'15" 678266.1403 2528887.606
13 31 1983 22° 51'30" 82° 44'00" 677838.5175 2528882.573
12 32 1983 22° 51'30" 82° 43'45" 677410.998 2528877.554
11 33 1983 22° 51'30" 82° 43'30" 676983.3766 2528872.545
73 34 Rev 22° 51'30" 82° 43'15" 676555.7558 2528867.548
10 35 1977 22° 51'30" 82° 43'00" 676128.2383 2528862.565
23 36 1982 22° 51'15" 82° 45'00" 679554.3845 2528441.458
22 37 1982 22° 51'15" 82° 44'45" 679126.7467 2528436.39 21.05.2011 6.00 21.00 37.00 17.50 1.00 17.50 17.43
21 38 1983 22° 51'15" 82° 44'30" 678699.2122 2528431.335
20 39 1983 22° 51'15" 82° 44'15" 678271.5757 2528426.29
19 40 1984 22° 51'15" 82° 44'00" 677843.9399 2528421.258 22.05.2011 9.00 21.00 32.00 19.50 1.00 19.50 15.38
53 41 Rev 22° 51'15" 82° 43'30" 676988.7729 2528411.231
54 42 Rev 22° 51'15" 82° 43'15" 676561.1391 2528406.236
18 43 1977 22° 51'15" 82° 43'00" 676133.6086 2528401.253
31 44 1982 22° 51'00" 82° 45'00" 679559.8595 2527980.03 21.05.2011 12.00 19.00 39.00 21.50 1.00 21.50 17.56
30 45 1982 22° 51'00" 82° 44'45" 679132.2087 2527974.962
52 46 1983 22° 51'00" 82° 44'30" 678704.6611 2527969.908
29 47 1984 22° 51'00" 82° 44'15" 678277.0116 2527964.864
28 48 1984 22° 51'00" 82° 44'00" 677849.3627 2527959.833 22.05.2011 6.00 13.00 27.00 12.50 1.00 12.50 16.00
27 49 1984 22° 51'00" 82° 43'45" 677421.8172 2527954.815
26 50 1984 22° 51'00" 82° 43'30" 676994.1696 2527949.807
25 51 1984 22° 51'00" 82° 43'15" 676566.5227 2527944.812
24 52 1978 22° 51'00" 82° 43'00" 676138.9791 2527939.83
35 53 1982 22° 50'45" 82° 45'15" 679992.9981 2527523.681
34 54 1985 22° 50'45" 82° 44'30" 676999.5654 2527488.383
51 55 Rev 22° 50'45" 82° 44'00" 677854.7846 2527498.407 22.05.2011 5.00 12.00 28.00 11.00 1.00 11.00 14.92
33 56 1984 22° 50'45" 82° 43'45" 677427.226 2527493.39
32 57 1984 22° 50'45" 82° 43'30" 676999.5654 2527488.383 21.05.2011 9.00 14.00 37.00 16.00 1.00 16.00 17.16
39 58 1982 22° 50'30" 82° 45'15" 679998.483 2527062.363
38 59 1982 22° 50'30" 82° 45'00" 679570.8054 2527057.284
50 60 Rev 22° 50'30" 82° 44'45" 679143.1284 2527052.218 22.05.2011 2.00 1.00 0.00 2.50 1.00 2.50 14.57
37 61 1985 22° 50'30" 82° 44'00" 677860.2042 2527037.093 21.05.2011 11.00 15.00 47.00 18.50 1.00 18.50 18.32
36 62 1979 22° 50'30" 82° 43'45" 677432.6325 2527032.076 21.05.2011 4.00 13.00 53.00 10.50 1.00 10.50 18.95
49 63 Rev 22° 50'15" 82° 45'00" 679576.2775 2526595.857
41 64 1985 22° 50'15" 82° 44'15" 678293.3122 2526580.697
40 65 1985 22° 50'15" 82° 44'00" 677865.6242 2526575.668
46 66 Rev 22° 50'00" 82° 45'00" 679581.7487 2526134.429
48 67 Rev 22° 50'00" 82° 44'30" 678726.4459 2526124.313
42 68 1979 22° 50'00" 82° 44'00" 677871.0432 2526114.243 21.05.2011 6.00 8.00 78.00 10.00 1.00 10.00 24.06
45 69 Rev 22° 49'45" 82° 44'30" 678731.8888 2525662.997 21.05.2011 7.00 14.00 45.00 14.00 1.00 14.00 17.97
43 Nil Nil 22° 50'00" 82° 45'15" 680009.4524 2526139.506
44 Nil Nil 22° 49'45" 82° 45'15" 680014.9344 2525678.189
47 Nil Nil 22° 50'00" 82° 44'45" 679154.0457 2526129.364
61 Nil Nil 22° 52'15" 82° 44'00" 677822.242 2530266.741

11. Tree Enumeration and computation of Growing Stock
and Basal Area
1 2 3 4 5 6
Name of
village
Sample Plot
No.
Number of
trees found
in 21-30
cms girth
class in
treatment
type
Number of
trees found
in 31-40
cms girth
class in
treatment
type
Number of
trees found
in 41-60
cms girth
class in
treatment
type
Number of
trees found
in 61-80
cms girth
class in
treatment
type
Compartment

12. 7 8 9 10 11
Number of
trees found in
81-100 cms
girth class in
treatment type
Number of
trees found in
101-120 cms
girth class in
treatment type
Number of
trees found in
121-150 cms
girth class in
treatment type
Number of
trees found in
151-180 cms
girth class in
treatment type
Number of
trees found in
above 180 cms
girth class in
treatment type

13. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Name of village Sample Plot No. Number of trees found in
21-30 cms girth class in
treatment type
Number of trees found in
31-40 cms girth class in
treatment type
Number of trees found in
41-60 cms girth class in
treatment type
Number of trees found in
61-80 cms girth class in
treatment type
Villages
7 8 9 10 11
Number of trees found in 81-100 cms
girth class in treatment type
Number of trees found in 101-120
cms girth class in treatment type
Number of trees found in 121-150
cms girth class in treatment type
Number of trees found in 151-180
cms girth class in treatment type
Number of trees found in above 180
cms girth class in treatment type

14. Sample
Points
(Old)
New Points Compartm
ent No.
Degree lat. & long UTM Co-ordinates
(44N)
Latitude Longitude Easting Northing
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Date of
Exercise
Wedge Prism Counting Wedge
Prism
Factor
Basal area
sq meter
per ha.
Fully Tally Half Tally Zero Tally Total
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Average
height of
dominant
trees
(determined
by
Hagaaltimet
er)
Mean Site
Quality
correspondi
ng to CG site
quality
Height of
forest stand
at average
age of 100
ears (in
meters)*
Basal area
(sq. Meter
per ha.)
correspondi
ng to crop
age 100-
140 years
Crop age Ruling
crown
density
Comments
15 16 17 18 19 20 21

17. * N.B. Kind attention invited to blanks, under stocked and encroachments
Alternate Mining Area in Revised Proposal

18. Effect of fragmentation of forest & wildlife habitat corridor

19. Non- statutory Amendments / Reforms
 Project Impact Assessment with reference to “porosity”
and ‘fragmentation” of forest crop.
 Specify limited role of “EAC (Mining & Coal)” in forest and
wildlife matters – causing duplication of
work without any utility / justification.
 “Expert appraisal Committee” (EAC) not having any role in
Landscape Management Plan, Reclamation Plan,
“Wildlife Habitat Conservation Plan”, biodiversity
indexing etc.
 Get prepared State / District / Regional Mining Strategies
for clarity of vision or deciding priority areas – cover
about 60 mineral rich districts.
 Thorough crop assessment before deciding NO-GO
areas. Parameter of satellite imagery cannot be acceptable.
 Geo-coordinates in all maps for meticulous assessment.

20. Non- statutory Amendments Reforms
 Adequate still photography of forest crop – crown,
stem and ground to make status clear.
 Adequate video-graphy to demonstrate crop
conditions, site quality, crown density, stem conditions,
status of regeneration, status of biodiversity, use of
habitat by wildlife, basal area calculation, as evidence
to substantiate yield table projections etc.
 Mandatory screening of video-film of diversion area
before FAC and SAG.
 State Advisory Group (SAG) should be a permanent
body like FAC. Frequent change of members is
detrimental to the cause of site assessment.
 Drastically reduce processing levels – ministerial staff
and Secretariat staff cannot contribute to processing
except delay & confusion.

21. Non- statutory Amendments / Reforms
 No site inspection during monsoon period i.e. Jul to
October. Monsoon provides wrong parameters for
assessment.
 Impose area-wise “processing fee”, use this fund for
data generation. Sell data to project proponent for
saving time.
 Annual monitoring of mining sites by satellite
imageries – monitoring of demarcation violation and
progress of reclamation operations are possible.
 Punish violation of “forest demarcation” under Indian
Forest Act, 1927. Cognizable offence, stringent law.
 Assess “Nistar & livelihood issues of local
communities”. Compensate loss of livelihood.
 RET species – No vague comments, use and quantify
RET species under IUCN criteria.

22. Non- statutory Amendments / Reforms for Monitoring
 Annual monitoring of mining sites by remote
sensing / satellite imageries – monitoring of
demarcation violation and progress of
reclamation operations are possible.
 Constitute Monitoring Committee under Principal
Chief Conservator of Forest, Nodal Officer FCA as
Member Secretary.
 Collect seeds from “plus trees” of felling area for
plantation to maintain “genetic pool” of the area.
 Compulsory submission of annual “Monitoring
Report” to MOEF.
 Capacity Building of assessing officers and
machinery – administrative and technical angles.

23. Sample Plot – 37 of Tara Coal Block

24. Sample Plot – 57 of Tara Coal Block

25. Sample Plot – 61 of Tara Coal Block

26. Sample Plot – 61 of Tara Coal Block

27. Forest Types of the Diversion Area
Conform to “Champion and Seth’s classification” (1967), to
following forest types:
1. 3C/C-2-E :Moist Peninsular High Level Sal Forests.
2. 5A/C-3 : Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forests.

28. 28

29. Non- statutory Amendments Reforms
 Prepare cause list of cases to be listed before State Advisory
Group and Forest Appraisal Committee.
 Make presentation compulsory before State Advisory Group,
Forest Appraisal Committee and Environment Assessment
Committee. The discussion should be compulsorily video-
graphed for transparency.
 Several members of these assessment committees are not
having technical qualification, don’t possess any specialization,
often don’t have right type of mind-set for rational development
of the country. Appoint members with utmost care and after
thorough verification of their antecedents.
 Assess quality of timber in the adjoining felling coupes /
relevant timber depot to decide future of crop.
 Examine “water quality” for toxins & silt load particularly down
stream of metallic mines, tailing ponds, ash-dykes and
beneficiation plants – large scale mortality of trees taking place.

30. Assessing Stem Condition in Timber Depot

31. Assisted Sal Regeneration
Site Ambikapur Nursury, Distt. Surguja, Chhattisgarh. Sal Crop raised in 1984-85 31

32. Kanchan Chopra in the Institute of Economic Growth in compliance of
the order dated 26.09.2005 of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in
IA No. 566 in WP(c) No. 202 of 1995: charging of Net Present Value
(NPV) of forest land; conduct of regional hearing by the Committee-
regarding. 167
With reference to the subject mentioned above, I am directed to say that the
Hon'ble supreme Court of India, vide its order dated 26.09.2005 in I.A. No.
566 in WP (c No. 202 of 1995, has constituted an Expert Committee, as
mentioned above, to go inter-alia, into the issue of exemption of projects
from payment of NPV, methodology for determination of NPV of different
categories of forest land and to suggest definite criteria for its calculation in
monetary terms. The committee has decided to conduct public hearings in
new Delhi, as well as in Bangalore (16th January 2006), Guwahati (28th
January 2006), Ahmadabad (11th February 2006) and Bhubaneswar (26th
February 2006) to elicit views of various stakeholders to help formulate a
balanced and comprehensive report on the issue. The Committee shall be
visiting Bangalore, Guwahati, Ahmadabad and Bhubaneswar to conduct the
meetings on the dates mentioned above.

33. • 2. In this connection, the CCFs (Central) in the concerned Regional
Officers of this Ministry are requested to co-ordinate with the
concerned State Forest Department to decide the venue of the
hearing to be conducted by the Expert Committee and make other
related arrangements. Arrangements for boarding and lodging of the
Committee Members and other official accompanying the Committee
may be made, if so requested by the Committee, at the cost of the
Committee.
•
• 3. The concerned Principal Chief conservator of Forests are also
requested to extend full support to the CCFs Central in the respective
Regional office of this Ministry, in making necessary arrangements for
conduct of the meeting. Needless to mention that the Members of
the Expert Committee constituted by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of
India deserve appropriate support and assistance).

34. Sub.: Realization of NPV for the forest land diverted under the
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 where stage-I approval was
accorded before 30th October 2012 and stage-II approval was
accorded later. 116
• I am directed to say that the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in their order dated
15.09.2006 inter-alia directed that N.P.V. is required to be recovered in all cases
approved by the Ministry for change of user under the Forest (Conservation) Act
after 29th / 30th October, 2002, irrespective of the date on which in-principle
(stage one) clearance may have been granted. In principle (stage one) approval
cannot amount to grant of permission under the Forest (Conservation) Act.
• Accordingly, it is requested that the State / UT Government may kindly realize the
NPV of the forest land in all such cases and transfer the same to the ad-hoc
CAMPA within a period of sixty days from the date of issue of this letter, and
submit a statement containing details of realization and transfer in ad-hoc CAMPA
of the NPV of such forest land to this Ministry. In case of non-receipt in ad-hoc
CAMPA of NPV of the any such forest land, this Ministry inter-alia will initiate
process to withdraw approval accorded under the Forest (Conservation) Act,
1980 for diversion of such forest land.

35. non-forestry purposes under Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980-Guidelines for collection
of Net Present Value (NPV). 147 HSC order March 28,
2008.
• The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has been
receiving representations from different States seeking detailed
clarification and guidelines on the above mentioned subject in the light of
the Supreme Court Judgment dated 28.03.2008 revising he general rates of
NPV and various other order defining differential rates for various
categories of projects.
•
• After careful examination of the issue, i am directed to inform that the
Hon’ble Supreme Court of India vide its judgment dated 28.03.2008, has
re-fixed the rates of Net Present Value (NPV) on the basis of scientific data
taking in view the ecological role and value of the forests. The 16 major
forest types have been re-grouped into 6 ecological classes depending
upon their ecological functions.

36. • Eco-Class I Consisting of Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests, Tropical Semi
Evergreen Forests and Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests.
• Eco-Class IIConsisting of Littoral and Swamp Forests.
• Eco-Class III Consisting of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests
• Eco-Class IV Consisting of Tropical thorn Forests and Tropical Dry
Evergreen Forests.
• Eco-Class V Consisting of Sub-Tropical Broad Leaved Hill Forests,
Sub-Tropical Pine Forests and Sub-Tropical Dry Evergreen
Forests.
• Eco-Class VI Consisting of Montance Wet Temperate Forests.
Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests, Himalayan Dry
Temperate Forests, Sub Alpine Forest. Moist Alpine Scrub
and Dry Alpine Scrub.

37. • Based on the ecological importance of forest falling in different eco-value and canopy density classes, relative weightage factors
have also been taken into consideration. By using these relative weightage factors, the
equalized forest area in eco-value Class-I and very dense forest corresponding to forest falling in different
eco-value and density classes have been compiled. The net present value per hectare of forest has been
fixed based on this data. For calculating the average net percent value per hectare of forest in India, the following
monetary value of goods and services provided by the forest have been considered:
•
•
• i) Value of timer and fuel wood.
• ii) Value of Non Timber Forest Products (NTEP)
• iii) Value of fodder.
• iv) Value of Eco-tourism.
• v) Value of bio-prospecting.
• vi) Value of Ecological services of forest
• vii) Value of Flagship Species.
• viii) Carbon Sequestration Value.
•

38. S. No. Eco-Value Class and NPV rates in Rs.
Class I Class II Class III Class
IV
Class V Class
VI
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
1. Very Dense
Forest
10,43,00
0
10,43,00
0
8,87,000 6,26,00
0
9,39,00
0
9,91,00
0
2. Dense
Forest
9,39,000 9,39,000 8,03,000 5,63,00
0
8,45,00
0
8,97,00
0
3. Open Forest 7,30,000 7,30,000 6,26,000 4,38,00
0
6,57,00
0
6,00,00
0
(i) For non-forestry use/diversion of forest land, the NPV may be directed to be deposited in the Compensatory Afforestation Fund as per the rates given below:
N.B. The NPV rate fixed would hold good for a period of three years and is subject to variation after three years as per the Supreme Court’s judgment dated 28.0

39. (ii) The use of forest land falling in National parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries
will be permissible only in totally unavoidable circumstances for public
interest projects and after obtaining permission from the Hon’ble Court.
Such permissions may be considered on payment of an amount equal to
en times in the case of National Parks and five times in the case of
Sanctuaries respectively of the NPV payable for such areas. The use
of non-forest land falling within the National Parks and Wildlife
Sanctuaries may be permitted on payment of an amount equal to the
NPV payable for the adjoining forest area. In respect In respect of non-
forest land falling within marine National parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries,
the amount may be fixed at five times the NPV payable for the
adjoining forest area:

40. • d) Different criteria for underground mining and over ground
mining
• The Court ordered that for underground mining fifty percent of
the NPV amount is to be paid with an undertaking to pay the balance
amount later. As regards over ground mining one hundred
percent amount of the NPV is to be paid108. After the payment
by the mining activities in the various coal fields. This has been
further clarified later where now only fifty percent of the NPV is
required to be paid for underground mining109.

41. Net Present Value
• g) New guidelines for payment of Net Present Value115
• The NPV rate presently approved by SC would be applicable for a period of
three years and after that revision is permissible. The new NPV rates are
applicable to future projects. One of the significant development is that
use oof forest land falling in National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries has become
more prohibitive by imposition of a condition that prior permission of the Court is
required and use would only be permitted in public interest and after payment
of NPV of an amount equal to ten times in the case of National Parks and
five times in the case of Sanctuaries. The use of non forest land falling within
the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries would be permitted on payment
of an amount equal to the NPV payable for the adjoining forest area. In respect
of non forest land falling "within marine National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries,
the amount payable is fixed at five times the NPV payable for the adjoining
forest area."

42. • Sub. : Clearance under forest (Conservation) Act, 1980:
• Deposition of funds with Ad-hoc-CMPA:
• Remittances to precede 2nd stage clearance.

43. Sub.: Guidelines for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes
under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; Net Present Value of
the diverted forest land for underground – clarification, regarding. 182
• The Ministry of Environment and Forests has received various representations seeking
clarification regarding payment of the Net present Value (NPV) of the diverted forest land
under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for the purpose of underground mining.
•
• In this connection, I am directed to say that NPV is chargeable in all cases of
diversion of forest land under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in compliance of the
orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India dated 3010.2002 and 01.08.2003 in IA No.
566 in WP (C) No. 202/1995 and as per the guidelines issued by this Ministry vide letter
No. 5-1/98-FC (Pt. II) dated 18.09.2003 and 22.09.2003 in this regard. Kindly refer to this
Ministry's letter No. 2-1/2003-FC (Part-IV) dated 07.12.2004 wherein it has already been
clarified that extraction of minerals, etc, from an underground mine amounts to breaking
up of fresh forest land, and hence, it requires diversion under the Forest (Conservation)
Act, 1980. This being so, NPV becomes chargeable in all cases of underground mining
as well as other underground works for which forest land is diverted under the Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980.

44. This issues in suppression of Ministry's letter No. 11-13/2004-FC dated
23rd June 2004 regarding charging of NPV for underground works
including underground mining.

45. Sub.: Guidelines for diversion of forest land for non-forest
purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 –
Clarification of Net Present Value in compliance with the
orders of the Supreme Court dated: 30.102002 in IA No.
566 in Writ Petition (C) No. 202 of 1995-Clarification thereof. 203
Sub.: Guidelines for diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes
under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 – Clarification of Net
Present Value in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court
dated: 30.102002 in IA No. 566 in Writ Petition (C) No. 202 of 1995-
Clarification thereof. 203

46. • (xiii) In-principle approval granted after 30.10.2002 but final approval
is yet to be granted;
• (xiv) In-principle approval granted after 30.10.2002 and final approval
has also been granted subsequently;
• (xv) In those cases where in-principle approval was not required,
single final approval has been granted after 30.10.2002.
• Further, Net Present Value of diverted forest land shall not be
charged in those cases where in-principle or final approval has been
granted prior to 30.10.2002.
• The State Government is requested to ensure the circulation of
the clarification to avoid any confusion at the field level. If any action
incoherent with the guidelines has already been taken at the field
level, the State Government may resort to necessary rectification
measures to avoid harassment of the user agencies.
• These issues with the approval of the competent authority.

47. Sub.: Supreme Court order dated 16.09.2005 in IA No. 1000 in
Writ Petition (C) No. 202 of 1995 – Jamwa Ramgarh
Sanctuary matter. 176
• Please find enclosed herewith a copy of the above-mentioned order
of the supreme Court, which reads as follows:
• "........ we again reiterate that without compliance of the
environmental laws, in particular the permission under Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980, no Temporary Working Permission or
Temporary Permit or any other permission by whatever name called
shall be granted for mining activities in the aforesaid areas (National
Parks, Sanctuaries and Forest area.) We further direct that no mining
activity would continue under any Temporary Working Permit or
Permission which may have been granted........".

48. In compliance with the aforesaid order, the Central Government
hereby, directs you to stop all mining operations in forests area which
are running on the strength of Temporary Working Permission (TWP)
granted by the Ministry, with immediate effect till further orders. Only
those mines shall be allowed to operate who have got clearances under
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and the environment (Protection) Act,
1986 and have complied with the conditions stipulated by the Central
Government. Further, in continuation of this Ministry's letters No. 11-
9/98-FC dated 04.05.2001 and 24.11.2003 and aforesaid order of the
Apex Court, it is reiterated that all mining operations in National Parks
and Sanctuaries shall continue to remain suspended.

49. Sub.: Guidelines for diversion of forest land for non-forestry
purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980-
Clarification regarding realization of NPV for proposals
involving underground works. 196
Kindly refer to this office Lr. No. 5-1/98-FC (part.II) dated: 18.09.2003
vide which the guidelines for collection of Net Present Value was
issued. In this regard it is clarified that this condition shall not be
applicable in those project areas where underground works are to be
undertaken and no surface right have been given and no deforestation
is involved. However, if the forest area is broken up for making any
opening for underground works the NPV shall be payable for such
breaking up of forest land.

50. Sub.: Guidelines for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes
under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980-Clarification regarding
realization of NPV for proposals involving underground works. 196
Kindly refer to this office Lr. No. 5-1/98-FC (part.II) dated: 18.09.2003
vide which the guidelines for collection of Net Present Value was
issued. In this regard it is clarified that this condition shall not be
applicable in those project areas where underground works are to be
undertaken and no surface right have been given and no deforestation
is involved. However, if the forest area is broken up for making any
opening for underground works the NPV shall be payable for such
breaking up of forest land.