Reliance awarded 468ha of Yavatmal forest for new cement plant

India’s Maharashtra government has given the green light to the diversion of 467.5ha of reserved forest land for the construction of a cement plant in Zari Jamni, Yavatmal district.

Reliance Cementation Pvt Ltd had been pursuing the project since 2009. The application seeking diversion of the 'C class’ forest reserved under Forest Conservation Act, 1980, was officially moved in May 2011 and the state government gave its approval in April 2012, followed by the Union government in December 2012.

However, the diversion of the forest land can only take place after strict conditions set by India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests ahve been met, according to top officials in the forest department. While the exact compensation amount has not been disclosed, sources have quoted around INR4m could be liable towards net present value and compulsory afforestation conditions.

While the cement project is behind schedule, the government’s approval is expected to speed up the construction of the plant.