The diversion of 3.93 hectares of forest land in favour of the Department of Power, Nagaland has been permitted for the construction of a 220KV transmission line from Dimapur to Kohima (Zhadima). (File photo | For representational purpose only)
• 7.98 ha compensatory afforestation mandated
• Strict ban on labour camps, new roads inside reserve forest
• No change in forest land use or transfer without Central approval
Dimapur, May 27 (MExN): The Government of Nagaland has permitted diversion of 3.93 hectares of forest land in favour of the Department of Power, Nagaland, for the construction of a 220KV transmission line from Dimapur to Kohima (Zhadima).
An official update issued through the DIPR on Wednesday stated that the diversion pertains to land at the Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP) Division, Rangapahar Reserve Forest, falling under the jurisdiction of the Divisional Forest Officer, NZP Division, Chümoukedima district.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Regional Office, Shillong, had first accorded In-Principle approval for the diversion on February 12, 2024. Following compliance with the conditions stipulated therein, the Ministry granted Final Approval on August 25, 2025, paving the way for the State Government to issue the present diversion order.
The User Agency, the Department of Power, Government of Nagaland, has now been permitted to proceed with the project, which falls under the jurisdiction of the NZP Division, Chümoukedima.
Environmental conditions
As a prerequisite for the diversion, the User Agency is required to raise and maintain compensatory afforestation over double the area of diverted forest land, totalling 7.98 hectares. The plantation is to be carried out across three plots of 2 ha, 3.98 ha and 2 ha respectively, within Rangapahar Reserve Forest under the NZP Division in Chümoukedima district. Authorities have directed that a mixture of local indigenous species be planted, with monoculture of any species to be avoided.
The User Agency is additionally mandated to transfer the Net Present Value (NPV) of the diverted forest land into the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) account of Nagaland through the online portal, as per the Ministry letter dated March 21, 2022.
The State Forest Department has also been directed to undertake plantation of dwarf species, preferably medicinal plants, beneath the transmission line, utilising funds already realised from the User Agency.
Wildlife and ecology safeguards
Given the ecological sensitivity of the Rangapahar Reserve Forest area, the clearance order stipulates a series of measures to minimise impact on fauna. The User Agency is required to install bird deflectors on the upper conductor of the transmission line at suitable intervals to prevent bird strikes. In hilly sections where adequate ground clearance already exists, tree-felling has been prohibited.
The legal status of the diverted forest land will remain unchanged, and the land cannot be utilised for any purpose other than the specified project. Transfer of the diverted land to any other agency, department or individual without prior approval of the Government of India is prohibited.
Compliance outline
The order places the Divisional Forest Officer, NZP Division, Rangapahar RF, Chümoukedima, as the primary monitoring authority. The officer has been directed to oversee compliance with all conditions in the forest and wildlife clearance orders and report any violations to the Nodal Officer (FC Act), the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), Nagaland, and to the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department.
All compliance reports, KML files of the diverted area, compensatory afforestation zones, and related data must be uploaded on the e-Green Watch portal and the Parivesh portal. Funds deposited through any mode other than the e-portal will not be accepted as valid compliance.
The User Agency must also submit a handing-over and taking-over certificate to the Nodal Officer (FCA), accompanied by GPS readings and a polygon map of the diverted land.
Operational restrictions
The clearance order imposes strict operational curbs on the User Agency during construction. No labour camps are to be established on forest land. Adequate firewood or alternative fuel must be procured for labourers from the State Forest Department, Forest Development Corporation or other legal sources. No new access paths or roads may be constructed inside the forest area for transportation of construction materials.
Tree-felling is to be restricted to the minimum necessary and must be carried out under strict supervision of the State Forest Department. Charges for felling, logging and transportation of project-affected trees are to be collected from the User Agency and deposited with the concerned DFO.
Legal and regulatory requirements
Project activities may commence only after all other requisite clearances under relevant laws are obtained, applicable fees are deposited, and any subsisting Court orders are complied with. This includes Environmental Clearance under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, where applicable, and full compliance with the Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, certified by the concerned District Collector.
The period of diversion shall be co-terminus with the lease period granted to the User Agency or the project life, whichever is earlier. The project layout cannot be altered without prior approval from the Central Government.
Violation of any condition will be treated as a violation of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 and will invite action under the Act, its Rules of 2023, and associated guidelines.
The order further directs that copies of the forest clearance and the diversion order be submitted to all heads of local bodies, Panchayats and Municipal bodies for wider public dissemination.
