MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) & (b) The Central Government so far accorded 1,718 approvals under the Forest (Conservation)
Act, 1980 for diversion of 1,42,022.06 ha. forest land for mining. State/ UT-wise details of the
same are annexed.
(c) & (d) As per the information received from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Government
of Bihar, instances of illegal mining do occur in forests areas in Bihar. Such instances generally occurs
in the areas in proximity of mining leases sanctioned outside forest areas but very close to the forest
boundaries. The staff of the Forest Department keeps watch and action as per law, such as institution of
cases against the offenders, seizure and confiscation of vehicles etc. are taken, as and when such instances
of illegal mining in the forest land are detected.
Division-wise details of cases filed and vehicles seized during the last two years in respect of the
illegal mining in forest areas are as below:
Name of Division No. of cases filed No. of Vehicles seized
Rohtas Division 51 72
Munger Division 171 -
Gaya Division 49 29
Nawada Division 13 5
Valmiki Tiger Project 4 0
Aurangabad Division 21 0
Total 309 106
The State Government of Bihar has taken a decisive step to curb illegal mining in the state by changing its
mining policy in 2010. The state government has stopped issuing new licenses for mining and the existing
leases will not be renewed after their expiry.
(e) to (g) All mining proposals involving more than 5.00 ha. or more land, need to obtain environmental
clearance in accordance with the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the EIA notification,
2006 issued there-under. Assessment of the impacts of proposed mining activities in terms of damage to dense
forest areas, other environmental impacts, effect on local population etc., and preparation of an
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) containing detailed provisions to mitigate the identified adverse
impacts are integral part of the process for grant of Environment Clearance to mining projects.
Environment clearance accorded to the mining projects is subject to the condition that the project proponent
shall execute the mitigation measures indicated in the EMP, and such other measures as the Central Government
may stipulate, to mitigate the adverse impacts of mining.
