Question : BAN ON CLEARANCE FOR MINING OF LIMESTONE

(a) whether the Government has banned the clearance of mining limestone and other similar minerals within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas, as per earlier CRZ notification, 1991;

(b) if so, whether the Government has conducted any scientific study to find out the base for prohibiting limestone and other such mineral mining in CRZ areas;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether mining of limestone and other similar minerals can be permitted, where there is an elevated coastal area as well as cliff kind of structure;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether some State Governments have taken up the issue of allowing the mining activities in the CRZ areas subject to strict compliance of environmental protection measures and also based on the technical studies for above-mentioned areas in the country; and (g) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (g) The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011 prohibits mining of sand, rocks and other substrata material including limestone, except rare minerals which are not available outside the CRZ area and exploration of oil and natural gas. This provision has been made in view of the likely adverse impact of mining of these minerals on the coastal environment and is uniformly applicable to all CRZ areas, including elevated coastal areas. The earlier CRZ Notification, 1991 also had similar provision. While finalizing the CRZ Notification, 2011 views and opinions of various stakeholders, including the State Governments, were taken into account through extensive consultations.