"We’ve been working hard to fast-track clearances under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) and Forest Rights Act (FRA) to get vital projects moving," Sukhu said.
These clearances cover critical sectors like infrastructure, education, and water supply.
In addition, the state has received 77 in-principle approvals from the Centre for major projects like the Shongtong and Thana Plaun power plants, several educational institutions, heliports, water schemes, and road projects.
Many of these cases had been stuck for years but are now gaining traction, thanks to the government's focused efforts.
Sukhu revealed that district-level committees, led by Deputy Commissioners and Divisional Forest Officers, are now monitoring clearance progress.
"To speed things up, we’ve appointed a senior IFS officer to work directly with the Centre," he added.
He emphasized that with around 70% of Himachal Pradesh under forest cover, forest land is crucial for public interest projects.
"We’ve developed a system to streamline the process, and it’s paying off," the CM noted.
Balancing development and environmental conservation remains a priority for the government, with new forestry schemes launched to boost forest cover across the state.
