The National Green Tribunal has given the nod to the Railways to approach the Karnataka government for the conversion of forest land for the non-forest activity of construction of Hubli-Ankola railway line in the state. <br/><br/>The order assumes significance as Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had last year disapproved the project on grounds of ecological impact on the forests , wildlife and biodiversity of the Western Ghats.<br/><br/>The green panel said that to apply for conversion of forest land to a non-forest activity was a right available to the project proponent and the state government which has to be dealt with in accordance with law.