Connecting the Fragmented Forests by the Opportunity of Vertical Dual Land Use (Plantation of Dwarf Species, Preferably Medicinal Plants in RoW of Transmission Lines as Compliance of the Existing Mandatory Condition under FC Act, 1980)

Abstract

India has a robust legal framework for the conservation of nature and natural resources. Plantation of dwarf species (preferably medicinal plants) in right of way (RoW) of transmission lines is a unique mandatory condition stipulated in stage-I approval of the projects of forest land diversion under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. It provides a unique opportunity of vertical dual land use by differentiating the vertical space above the land for different uses. However, assessment of the available vertical space and selection of suitable tree species for this limited vertical space is crucial for the effective compliance of this condition. In the present study, a total of 1080 projects of forest land diversion for transmission lines (with at least stage-I approval) in different states/UTs of India (as available on PARIVESH portal from 15.07.2014 to 18.06.2022 at 10:00 pm.) were reviewed. Various aspects of the existing practices including safety, species selection, estimates, cost of plantation, spacing of seedlings, phyto climatic zones and vegetation types etc were examined. The analysis of available vertical and horizontal space in total 21 combinations of specifications in transmission lines of various voltage levels was conducted. 'V'-type string is found to be more suitable to accommodate taller dwarf plants. A list of 200 perennial dwarf species of different phyto climatic zones of India is given along with their distribution and available propagation techniques. A differential height model of plantation and method of calculation of vertical and horizontal space (K-value) for relatively taller (T-value) dwarf plants is proposed with the objectives of effective compliance of this condition under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and prevention of the fragmentation of forests.