No SEZ in forest area: Environment Ministry

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) The Ministry of Environment and Forests today strongly refuted reports that it planned to allow setting up the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the forest areas.

Addressing a press conference here, Secretary, Environment, Pradipto Ghosh clarified that there was a multi-structural partnership for afforestation in waste lands of forests, where sharing of benefits were negotiated between the local community, land owning agency and other stake holders.

''A legal basic contract for these parties is under preparation,'' he said.

Replying to a question, he also said the National Biodiversity Action Plan and Coastal Regulations were being considered by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Asked about the inclusion of the total Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh while showing the increase in green cover, Dr Ghosh said it was done because India considered the areas under occupation as its own.

UNI