Reported by Bhadra Gogoi
Dimapur: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Regional Office, Shillong, has approved the diversion of 3.93 hectares of forest land in the Nagaland Zoological Park under Rangapahar Reserve Forest in Chümoukedima district by the Nagaland Power Department for the construction of a 220 kV transmission line from Dimapur to Kohima (Zhadima).
The ministry, in its letter dated 12.02.2024, communicated the in-principle (Stage-I) approval in favour of the Nagaland Power Department for diversion of forest land for the construction of the transmission line, a government release said on Wednesday.
The release said that, considering compliance with the conditions stipulated in the in-principle approval, the ministry, in its letter dated 25.08.2025, accorded final approval for diversion of the land, subject to fulfillment of the stipulated conditions.
The Divisional Forest Officer, Nagaland Zoological Park, has been directed to monitor compliance with the conditions stipulated for such diversion in the respective forest/wildlife clearance order and to report violations, if any, to the Nodal Officer (FC Act), the PCCF & HoFF, Nagaland, and the Environment, Forest & Climate Change Department.
The release said that execution of project activities will be subject to the availability of all other clearances required under the relevant Act/Rules for the project, deposit of requisite fees, and compliance with any court orders, if applicable.
It added that the user agency will comply with the conditions for the purpose of the said diversion of forest land.
The Divisional Forest Officer, Nagaland Zoological Park, has also been asked to submit monitoring reports from time to time to the Nodal Officer, FCA, after fulfillment of all conditions.
The handing over and taking over certificate will be submitted to the Nodal Officer, FCA, along with GPS readings and the polygon map of the diverted land, the release added.