Question : Impact of Coal Mines on Environment

(a) the impact of various coal mines on environment;
(b) whether the Government has issued any directives to minimize the adverse effects of coal mines on environment;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

Answer given by the minister



MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES
(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a): Coal mining, like any other developmental activity, does have impacts on Environment. However, such impacts in case of coal mining is generally contained within the project area itself.
(b) to (d): In order to minimize the adverse effect of coal mining on environment, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended from time to time, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which deals with the process to grant Environmental Clearance. The projects of Coal Sector, as per schedule in the EIA Notification, 2006, require prior environmental clearance.
The environmental clearance is a process which involves four stages which are: Stage (1) – Screening; Stage (2) – Scoping i.e. prescribing Terms of Reference (TOR) for undertaking detailed Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Studies; Stage (3) – Public Consultation to be conducted by the respective State/ UT Pollution Control Board/ Committee and Stage (4)- Appraised by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) as per the provisions prescribed in the EIA Notification, 2006 notified under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
While according environmental clearance, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)/ State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) examined the EIA/EMP report which are prepared by accredited consultants and further the EAC/SEAC stipulate necessary conditions for safe-guarding the environment and other mitigation measures to protect the environment. The status of compliance of stipulated conditions of the environmental clearance of different projects, including mining projects, is monitored by ten Regional Offices of MoEFCC in the Country.
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