New Delhi, Oct 13 (PTI) The Centre has put on hold a proposal to divert over 616 hectares of dense forest in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district for a Rs 17,000-crore pumped storage project, after experts warned it would destroy rich forest ecosystems, fell more than two lakh trees and threaten wildlife habitats.

The Forest Advisory Committee of the Union Environment Ministry, which met on September 26, said a sub-committee would visit the site to conduct a holistic assessment of the project's potential impact before any clearance is considered.

The committee asked the state government to submit detailed division-wise land data, status of approvals from the Central Electricity Authority and the Central Water Commission and approved catchment area and wildlife management plans.

The Greenk

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