Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur met Union Minister for Science & Technology, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Harsh Vardhan at New Delhi today and requested for speedy approval of 1125 crore Natural Water Resources Management Project for the state.He also urged for enhancing the power of state government to accord forest clearance from existing 1 hectare to 10 hectares for developmental works for non forestry developmental purpose and added that this would speed up the pace of developmental works in the state and reduce unnecessary delays. He further apprised him that so far 13 items were exempted under this and requested to add construction of gaushalas and educational institutions to this list.Chief Minister also requested for according approval for three projects posed for funding under National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change worth Rs 57.75 crore.Dr Harsh Vardhan assured to look into the demands sympathetically and said that every possible assistance would be provided with regard to approval of Natural Water Resources Management Project and issue related to forest clearance.He also agreed to consider the demand of the state government to allow compensatory afforestation on degraded forests for hydropower projects.Dr Shrikant Baldi ACS cum Principal Secretary to Chief Minister also gave valuable inputs during the meeting.