Sunday, 04 Apr 2010
DNA India reported that a joint study by the environment and coal ministries has found that as much as 35% of coal mining areas across the country are located in no go zones, where environmental clearances cannot be given. A no go zone is a densely forested area where mining cannot be allowed.
Mr Jairam Ramesh minister of state for environment and forest said that "35% of coal mining areas should not get clearances. There are nine major blocks of coal mines in these areas surrounded by dense forests. In the past 30 years, 300 mining projects have been cleared, only 24 rejected.
As if to endorse Mr Ramesh, the prime minister's office denied reports that a group of ministers had been set up to speed up the clearance of development projects.
Mr Ramesh said that "There is no truth in reports that a GoM has been formed. PM has categorically said there is a need to find a balance between development projects and ecology.
According to the minister, PM has asked him to ensure that there is no violation of the Environment Protection Act, Wildlife Protection Act and Forest Rights Act while allowing new projects. He said that "PM wants the ministries of environment and coal to jointly decide whether coal blocks should be allocated in certain areas. If the environment ministry was involved, we would not have allowed the proposal for mining near the Tadoba tiger reserve. The idea should not have come in the first place.
(Sourced from www.dnaindia.com)
Review: http://www.steelguru.com/news/index/MTM5Njk1/35pct_of_Indian_coal_mining_areas_are_in_No_Go_zones.html
DNA India reported that a joint study by the environment and coal ministries has found that as much as 35% of coal mining areas across the country are located in no go zones, where environmental clearances cannot be given. A no go zone is a densely forested area where mining cannot be allowed.
Mr Jairam Ramesh minister of state for environment and forest said that "35% of coal mining areas should not get clearances. There are nine major blocks of coal mines in these areas surrounded by dense forests. In the past 30 years, 300 mining projects have been cleared, only 24 rejected.
As if to endorse Mr Ramesh, the prime minister's office denied reports that a group of ministers had been set up to speed up the clearance of development projects.
Mr Ramesh said that "There is no truth in reports that a GoM has been formed. PM has categorically said there is a need to find a balance between development projects and ecology.
According to the minister, PM has asked him to ensure that there is no violation of the Environment Protection Act, Wildlife Protection Act and Forest Rights Act while allowing new projects. He said that "PM wants the ministries of environment and coal to jointly decide whether coal blocks should be allocated in certain areas. If the environment ministry was involved, we would not have allowed the proposal for mining near the Tadoba tiger reserve. The idea should not have come in the first place.
(Sourced from www.dnaindia.com)
Review: http://www.steelguru.com/news/index/MTM5Njk1/35pct_of_Indian_coal_mining_areas_are_in_No_Go_zones.html
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