Centre Issues Fresh Guidelines for Scientifically Planned River Dredging in Forest Areas

The Centre has issued <b>fresh guidelines</b> allowing scientifically planned river dredging in forest areas to mitigate floods and restore river ecosystems. This aims to cut through decades of bureaucratic delays that often left communities helpless against rising waters while paperwork got stuck in environmental red tape.<br><br>Under the new rules, qualifying dredging works are exempted from tedious forest clearance requirements, compensatory afforestation, and net present value payments, as the activity will no longer be treated as a non-forest purpose.<br><br>This policy shift promises faster execution of flood mitigation projects, potentially saving lives and property during monsoon seasons.