New Delhi, Feb. 15 -- The Stage-II, or final, forest clearance for the Rs.81,800 crore "Sustainable Development of Great Nicobar Island" project has not yet been granted, the Union environment ministry informed the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply dated February 12, minister of state for environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said the project has only received "in-principle approval" under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and the rules framed under it. "Only after receiving the Stage-II approval and final order for diversion of forest land for non-forestry use can project activities be initiated," he said.

Singh was responding to a series of questions raised by Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. She sought details on whether...