Question : BAN ON CLEARANCES OF MINING IN WESTERN GHATS

(a) whether the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel has recommended an indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining in the Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) in Goa and Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts in Maharashtra;

(b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(c) whether it has also recommended a ban on new licences for quarrying and sand mining; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a), (b), (c) & (d) The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests has submitted its report to the Ministry. The Ministry is consulting the concerned State Governments and Central Ministries and has not yet taken any view on the recommendations contained in the report.