Govt okays rules for exploring oil and gas deposits in forests

The Union environment ministry has streamlined the approval process for surveys and exploratory drilling in forest areas to search for oil and gas, according to a letter sent last month to the principal secretaries and additional chief secretaries (forests) of all states and Union territories (UTs).

- Jayashree Nandi

Hindustan Times reported on 5 August that the ministry's FAC (forest advisory committee) had exempted surveys involving drilling and felling of up to 100 trees for prospecting hydropower and other development projects in forest areas from obtaining prior clearance.

The FAC noted that such preliminary drilling is crucial for project design, preparation of a detailed project report and estimating the financial provisions of the proposed development project.

Now, the ministry has issued detailed guidelines and timelines to state governments or Union territories to permit such projects.