New Delhi, Jan. 8 -- The Union environment ministry has cleared the way for private and government entities to lease forest land for afforestation and timber projects without paying environmental compensation fees, marking a significant shift in India's forest conservation rules. In a January 2 letter to state governments, the ministry said afforestation and silvicultural activities undertaken under approved plans will now be classified as "forestry activities."P10
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times....