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Forest clearance (forest-land diversion) — documents, timeline & process
R2 · Land & environment · ~240 days (indicative)
Central approval before any forest land is used for your plant, substation or corridor — two stages with afforestation costs; the longest single approval in most projects.
Form-A on PARIVESH → site inspection → state chain → REC/FAC → Stage-I (CA land + NPV) → compliance → Stage-II → handover.
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Statutory basis & authority
| Statutory basis | Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam 1980 (FCA 1980 renamed, 2023 Amendment); VSS Rules 2023 + Amendment Rules 2025 (Stage-I validity 5 yrs; 'working permission' for linear projects — excludes charging of lines) |
|---|---|
| Authority | MoEFCC (via PARIVESH 2.0) — IRO ≤5 ha / REC 5–40 ha / FAC >40 ha; state chain DFO → CF → Nodal Officer → State Govt |
| Department | Forest Department / MoEFCC (PARIVESH) |
| Indicative timeline | ~240 days (verify with the authority) |
| Fees | NPV ₹4.38–10.43 lakh/ha (2008 SC rates ⚑) + compensatory afforestation cost (state-fixed) |
Documents required
- KML/DGPS + khasra/revenue maps
- FRA-2006 compliance certificate (Collector + Gram Sabha consent)
- CA land suitability certificate
- Alternatives analysis + cost-benefit
- NPV / CA undertakings
When is this required?
- Forest land involved: Site or route involves notified forest land
Solarian expert note
Gram Sabha consent, FRA certificate and CA land availability drive the timeline. 2025 'working permission' eases survey/mobilisation for linear projects — but never charging.
Frequently asked questions
What is Forest clearance (forest-land diversion)?
Central approval before any forest land is used for your plant, substation or corridor — two stages with afforestation costs; the longest single approval in most projects.
How long does Forest clearance (forest-land diversion) take?
Around 240 days as an indicative planning figure. Actual timelines vary by authority workload and application quality — verify with the concerned authority.
Which authority grants Forest clearance (forest-land diversion)?
MoEFCC (via PARIVESH 2.0) — IRO ≤5 ha / REC 5–40 ha / FAC >40 ha; state chain DFO → CF → Nodal Officer → State Govt. Department: Forest Department / MoEFCC (PARIVESH).
What documents are required for Forest clearance (forest-land diversion)?
KML/DGPS + khasra/revenue maps; FRA-2006 compliance certificate (Collector + Gram Sabha consent); CA land suitability certificate; Alternatives analysis + cost-benefit; NPV / CA undertakings.
When is Forest clearance (forest-land diversion) required?
Site or route involves notified forest land.
Related approvals in this phase
- Land title, lease & government land allotment
- Land-use / NA (non-agricultural) conversion
- Forest & wildlife clearance — line route
- Wildlife / NBWL clearance
See also: all approvals · glossary of terms · state roadmaps
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Indicative guidance from the RegNav knowledge base, expert-verified by Solarian. Not legal advice — always verify with the concerned authority.