As per the decision cleared by the Cabinet on Monday, agencies like the DDA, MCD, NDMC, the Cantonment Board and the Land and Development department, which own land in the vicinity of the ridge area, cannot transfer land to anyone before getting permission from the Forest department.

As per the arrangement so far, the allottees would themselves go to the Forest department for building plan approval and No Objection Certificate.

“This is being done to reduce the time and effort that goes into getting clearances. From now on if the DDA or the MCD decide to give land for some project, they will have to directly come to the Forest department for approval before allotting the land,” a Forest department official said.

Also, before allotting land the agencies will have to get prior permission to fell trees. The building plan will not be approved before a permission of the department is taken, the official said.