The Forest Corporation was established in undivided Uttar Pradesh as a State Government undertaking to enable the scientific exploitation of forest produce. Following the reorganization of Uttar Pradesh, the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation was formed to remove sand, gravel, and boulders scientifically from rivers flowing through the forest areas of Uttarakhand. Its management and marketing are carried out by the Forest Corporation, keeping in mind that forest wealth is not harmed, soil erosion is prevented, riverbanks are not degraded, while mineral resources continue to be obtained.
The National Forest Policy was announced by the Government of India in 1988, which is applicable to all states across the country, including Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand is a state rich in biodiversity. For biodiversity conservation, scientific collection of RBM (River Bed Material) from rivers is essential. Under Section 2, proviso (iii) of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, there is an explicit provision stating that no forest land may be leased to any private person, authority, corporation, or agency not under government control without prior approval from the Government of India.
In accordance with the order issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in W.P. (C) No. 202 of 1995 dated 12-02-1996, the collection of minor minerals in reserved forest areas can only be executed by the State Forest Department or the Forest Corporation. In letter No. F.No.–11-1/2003-FC, dated 09-07-2003, from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (FC Division), Government of India, it is clearly mentioned that: "The State Government should assign the works for collection of bajri, boulders and sand etc from various river beds in the forest areas to the state Forest Department or the Forest Development Corporations only."
In this sequence, under non-forestry activities in the reserved forest areas of Uttarakhand state, the collection of minor minerals (sand, gravel, boulders, etc.) is carried out by the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation under the state's promulgated mineral rules. By scientifically removing minor minerals from rivers in reserved forest areas, the corporation preserves river geometry, restores natural water flow, and channelizes rivers so that erosion of riverbank forest areas can be prevented and wildlife along with biodiversity are protected.
Before initiating minor mineral collection work from rivers in reserved forest areas, the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation is required to obtain the following clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India:
