Can Himachal Pradesh Relax Forest Norms for Calamity Relief?
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Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is advocating for changes to forest norms to help disaster-stricken families. With significant losses reported, the state is seeking urgent assistance to facilitate recovery and rebuild homes.
Key Takeaways
- Request for forest norm relaxation to aid rehabilitation.
- Significant financial assistance announced for affected families.
- Emphasis on special norms for hill states.
- Frequent cloudbursts highlight the need for disaster preparedness.
- Government aims to support recovery efforts post calamity.
New Delhi, Aug 2 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, met with the Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, to request a relaxation of forest regulations aimed at aiding the rehabilitation efforts for individuals affected by recent natural disasters.
According to an official statement released on Saturday, CM Sukhu highlighted the extensive destruction caused by torrential monsoon rains, which resulted in damage to roads, bridges, water supply systems, and both residential and public properties, alongside the tragic loss of lives.
During the meeting, CM Sukhu advocated for the allocation of one bigha of forest land to assist families rendered homeless and landless due to these calamities.
With approximately 68 percent of the state covered in forests, he stressed the critical need for relaxing forest norms to expedite rehabilitation.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the dredging of rivers, with the Chief Minister urging for clear directives on the disposal of dredged materials to prevent future disasters.
He also put forth a request for the establishment of distinct norms tailored to hill states, considering their challenging terrains and unique requirements.
Furthermore, CM Sukhu informed the Union Minister about the increasing frequency of cloudbursts that lead to natural disasters and significant losses.
He noted that this issue was also raised with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and a team had previously visited the state to assess the impacts of climate change.
Earlier this week, a special relief package was approved by the Cabinet for families affected by the disasters across the state.
The Cabinet decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh for completely destroyed homes and Rs 1 lakh for shops and partially damaged houses.
Tenants will receive support of Rs 50,000 for lost belongings, while agricultural land that has been destroyed will yield Rs 10,000 per bigha. The relief amount for crop losses has also seen an increase from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000.
Furthermore, Rs 55,000 will be allocated for the loss of large livestock such as cows and buffaloes, while Rs 9,000 will be provided for sheep and goats.
Point of View
The ongoing struggles faced by Himachal Pradesh due to natural disasters highlight the urgent need for tailored policies that cater to the unique challenges of hill states. The call for a relaxation of forest norms is a testament to the intersection of environmental management and disaster recovery, emphasizing the importance of flexible governance to address pressing humanitarian issues.
NationPress
20/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason for the relaxation of forest norms in Himachal Pradesh?
The relaxation is sought to facilitate the rehabilitation of families impacted by natural disasters, enabling them to rebuild their lives.
How much financial assistance is being offered to disaster-affected families?
The Cabinet approved financial aid of Rs 7 lakh for destroyed homes, Rs 1 lakh for damaged shops, and Rs 50,000 for tenants' lost goods.
