New Delhi: The central government received over 1,000 proposals seeking forest clearances for various projects in the last three years but only one-third of them were granted final approval, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

In the last three years, around 1,011 forest clearance proposals were received and final approval was given for only 335, minister of state for environment and forest Prakash Javadekar said. There were 230 forest clearance proposals in 2014 and 32 were granted final approval, he said during Question Hour.

In 2013, 152 of 395 proposals got final nod whereas in 2012, there were 386 such proposals and 151 were approved. Javadekar gave state and union territory-wise number and status of proposals for grant of forest clearance to construct roads in forest and border areas as well as bridges and culverts over rivers. The details were provided for the proposals received by the government in the last three years.

He emphasized that all efforts would be taken to build roads in border areas and ensure security of the borders. Responding to a query about some project clearances coming up before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) despite getting the Centre’s nod, Javadekar said the government would apprise the tribunal about the situation.

Asked whether government was considering to allow cutting of trees whenever required in public interest, the minister said that project work on a forest area can now be started after the first phase clearance.

For public utility and roads, the government has decided that after the Phase-I clearance the work on the project can begin. Noting that the matter was taken up with the NGT, Javadekar said the government is also explaining it to the tribunal. He expressed hope that there would be no hindrance and work can start early.

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