India lost a chunk of its forest wealth in the first six months of 2014 as regional offices and State Advisory Groups (SAGs) of the Environment Ministry approved 50 of the 65 proposals which required clearing of forest lands.

While about 77 per cent of the projects were cleared, only one proposal was declined and seven deferred, an analysis by the environment impact assessment think tank EIA Resource and Response Centre (ERC) revealed.

Under the Forest Conservation Rules of 2003, proposals involving the diversion of forests between five and 40 hectares are examined by the regional offices in consultation with SAGs of the states and Union Territories. The SAGs are required to meet once every month. The SAGs are required to meet once every month.

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