In Jammu and Kashmir, the State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by Governor, Satya Pal Malik has approved diversion of 663 Hectares of Forest land in various Forest Divisions of Jammu and Kashmir. The land is for undertaking various developmental projects of urgent public importance in the sectors of roads, power, drinking water, irrigation, education, railways, telecom, civil aviation and Defence sectors. Work on these projects could not commence till date, due to pending forest clearances. The projects shall benefit a large number of people living in remote and far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir by providing them drinking water, road and mobile connectivity, electricity etc.<br />''<span style="color: #222222;"><br />''The S.A.C directed the Forest Department to ensure bare minimum felling of trees. It further directed the Public Works Department to ensure that the road projects under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana are completed within the timelines so that the objectives of these projects are realized. </span><br />