Question : Illegal Mining

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the damages caused to the environment on account of illegal mining in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government in coordination with the States to compensate the harm caused to the environment due to illegal mining in various parts of the country and ensure environmental balance;
(c) whether any concrete measures are being taken by the Government to check the illegal mining and the harm being caused to the environment in the country especially in Uttar Pradesh; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN):

(a) to (d): The steps taken by the Ministry to ensure environmental stability and to offset the losses caused to environment due to illegal mining inter-alia include the notification of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended from time to time, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. All the projects of mining of minerals require prior Environmental Clearance. The Environmental Clearance is granted after consideration of various aspects related to flora, fauna, air, water, land, environmental health aspects etc. Strict conditions are prescribed to the mining projects.

Further, with a view to promote sustainable sand mining in the States, the Government has delegated, vide notification dated 15.01.2016, the Authority of Environmental Clearance up to 5 hectare of individual mining lease of minor minerals and 25 hectares in clusters to the District Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA) headed by the District Magistrate/ District Collector. A District Expert Appraisal Committee (DEAC) has also been constituted under the chairmanship of the Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department to assist the DEIAA. The Ministry has also notified the constitution of DEIAA and DEAC, vide Notification SO No. 190 (E) dated 20.01.2016.