📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Diego Delso
Politics
Haryana moves ahead with Kant Enclave forest diversion, seeks Centre’s exemption
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 17 Sep 2026, 07:36 AM
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The Haryana government has approved a proposal to divert forest land in the Kant Enclave, but the plan now awaits exemption from the central government under the Forest Conservation Act.
The state administration of Haryana has cleared a proposal to divert a portion of forest land located in the Kant Enclave for development purposes. The plan, submitted by the state forest department, aims to allocate the area for infrastructure projects that the government says will boost regional connectivity and economic activity.
Under the Forest Conservation Act, any diversion of forest land exceeding one hectare requires prior approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Haryana officials have therefore approached the centre seeking a specific exemption that would allow the project to proceed without the usual procedural delays.
State officials indicated that the exemption request will be forwarded to the central ministry within the next week, and they expect a decision in the coming months. If granted, the diversion could pave the way for road expansions and related civic works in the Kant Enclave, a region that has seen growing demand for better transport links.
Environmental groups, however, have raised concerns about the potential impact on local biodiversity, urging the authorities to conduct a thorough impact assessment before any clearance is given. The final outcome will hinge on the centre’s assessment of the ecological trade‑offs versus the projected development benefits.
Under the Forest Conservation Act, any diversion of forest land exceeding one hectare requires prior approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Haryana officials have therefore approached the centre seeking a specific exemption that would allow the project to proceed without the usual procedural delays.
State officials indicated that the exemption request will be forwarded to the central ministry within the next week, and they expect a decision in the coming months. If granted, the diversion could pave the way for road expansions and related civic works in the Kant Enclave, a region that has seen growing demand for better transport links.
Environmental groups, however, have raised concerns about the potential impact on local biodiversity, urging the authorities to conduct a thorough impact assessment before any clearance is given. The final outcome will hinge on the centre’s assessment of the ecological trade‑offs versus the projected development benefits.