The Central Government has granted in-principle approval for the diversion of 299 hectares of reserve forest land in Assam for setting up a tunnel-based underground weapon storage facility, citing its strategic importance in the context of the changing geopolitical situation in India’s Eastern Theatre.

• The proposal was submitted by the Station Commander, Air Force Station, Digaru, and the Sonaikuchi Reserve Forest under the Nagaon forest division, located in Morigaon district. 
• Of the total land sought, 265.513 hectares will be used for the underground storage facility, while 33.688 hectares are earmarked for surface infrastructure such as administrative buildings, fencing, guard posts, boundary walls, and approach roads.
• From an environmental perspective, the forest area has a canopy density of 0.7, and around 203 trees are expected to be felled. 
• The project site is not located within 10 kilometres of any protected area, nor does it fall within a notified archaeological or heritage zone. 
• A regional inspection confirmed no violation of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.
  • This Act makes the Central Government’s approval mandatory for using reserved forest land for ‘non-forest purpose.’
• To offset ecological loss, the State Government has proposed compensatory afforestation over 85.75 hectares within the same reserve forest, with 68 hectares found suitable for plantation, supported by a 10-year maintenance plan. 
• The project proponent has also been directed to deposit funds into the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority account.
• Given the area’s wildlife sensitivity, the advisory committee has mandated a comprehensive wildlife conservation plan, focusing on human–elephant conflict mitigation, protection of natural water bodies, and assessment of alternative water sources to reduce stress on wildlife. 
• Additionally, a scientific muck disposal plan must be prepared to manage excavation debris and minimise geological and slope stability risks.
• Overall, the project highlights the challenge of balancing national security needs with environmental conservation, using regulatory safeguards and compensatory mechanisms.

Exam Hook:
The diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes in India is governed under which Act, and what is the role of CAMPA in this process?

MCQ

Q. With reference to the recent diversion of reserve forest land in Assam, consider the following statements:

1. The diversion has been approved for a tunnel-based underground weapon storage facility citing strategic importance.
2. The project falls within 10 kilometres of a notified protected area.
3. Compensatory afforestation funds will be deposited with the State CAMPA authority.

How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (b) Only two
(Statements 1 and 3 are correct; Statement 2 is incorrect.)

Source