Landmark Policy Decision on Zudpi Jungle A Breakthrough for Development of Vidarbha
1
Zudpi Jungle The term “Zudpi Jungle” is in use in six districts of Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Wardha, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli in Vidarbha region indicating classification of land normally covered by scrub (bush growth) and not by big trees.
Supreme Court Judgment 12/12/1996
“The term "forest land", occurring in Section 2 (of FCA), will not only include "forest" as understood in the dictionary sense, but also any area recorded as forest in the Government record irrespective of the ownership” In 1997, GoM affidavit filed in SC requesting the SC not to treat ZJ under FCA, 1980 and to instruct the GOI accordingly
Zudpi Jungle Gadchiroli (Mouza Pulkhal) Survey No. New – 177, Old 275/1, 285/4 Area – 9.00 Ha
Zudpi Jungle The term “Zudpi Jungle” is in use in six districts of Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Wardha, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli in Vidarbha region indicating classification of land normally covered by scrub (bush growth) and not by big trees. Zudpi Jungle Gadchiroli (Madeamgaon) Survey No – 102 Area – 46.520 Ha Density – Below 0.5
Zudpi Jungle Gadchiroli, village Jambela Survey No – 9 Area – 0.180 Ha Density – Below 0.5
Efforts to Resolve the Issue Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India constituted a High Power Committee in 1998 to identify and sort out the problems of Zudpi Jungle areas in Maharashtra for their future management. Series of meetings of Hon’ble CM, Hon’ble Union Minsters, Hon’ble Forest Minister, Hon’ble MPs, Pr Secy (Forests), PCCF with Union Minister (E&F) and Secretary (E&F)
District wise Details of Zudpi Jungle (Ha.) Sr. No .
District
Total Z.J.
Already notified Z.J.
Z.J. below 3 ha.
Encroach ed Z.J.
Z.J. under non forestry use
Total (5+6+7)
Balance to be notified Z.J.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1
Nagpur
32610
00
6008
1381
10009
17398
15210
2
Wardha
22620
906
5326
793
5048
11167
10544
3
Gadchiroli
15060
1323
1199
5876
326
7401
6333
4
Bhandara+ Gondia
87409
14079 12648
12719
10464
35831
37498
5
Chandrapur
20825
7046
6736
823
14605
6219
16309 32229
27507
26672
86408
75806
Total
178525
00
8
The Breakthrough • In principle approval by Government of India to allow GOM to used 86409 ha. Zudpi Jungle for Public purpose (Irrigation, Schools, Hospitals, Roads, etc) • Simplified procedure for submission of proposals under Forest Conservation Act approved by Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India • In stead of individual proposals, the proposals can now be consolidated at taluka level except for commercial uses.
Zudpi Jungle available for Public Use • Vidarbha gets 32229 ha. (less than 3 ha.) land for public purposes and public infrastructure Sr. No.
District
1 2 3
Nagpur Wardha Gadchiroli
4
Bhandara+Gondia
5
Chandrapur Total
Z.J. below 3 ha. 6008 5326 1199 12648 7046 32229
Non-Forest Use being Regularized • Total non-forest use - 26672 ha.: pre-1996 and post-1996 non-commercial non-forest use to be regularized under FCA Sr. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Important Categories School Grazing Public Purpose Nistar (Firewood) Roads Hospital Railway Burial Ground Akhar/Gothan Other Govt. of Maharashtra Uses Gram Panchayat Tank/Irri. Gaothan
Total (ha) 440.45 3941.10 319.56 2784.62 442.06 16.40 3.97 1455.93 1951.75 2941.85 127.62 318.14 1968.25
ZJ available for CA Land Bank • About 92116 ha land suitable for forestry is now made available as Land Bank for compensatory afforestation for various public projects • This will result in speedy clearances of various developmental projects like irrigation, roads, transmission lines etc • This land to be declared as Reserve Forest and a 10 year Afforestation Plan to be submitted to GOI
Compensatory Afforestation Waived •
Govt. of India has waived off the condition for taking up CA, saving Rs. 5800 Crores for the state.
The Way Forward • State to approach Supreme Court for change in land status to non-forest and exemption from payment of NPV (@ Rs 3785 crores) • Government of India will support the state in Supreme Court • Concerned SDO to be the User Agency for submission of proposals • 86,408 ha area to be surveyed, demarcated and FCA proposals to be prepared
• Survey of lands in six months and joint inspection by Circle Officer and Forester • Sample ground verification of sites by CCF/DCF/RFO/Tehsildar • Declaration of balance 75806 ha as reserved forest out of 92116 ha • Preparation of 10 year Afforestation Plan for the above 92116 ha
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