Question : MINING ACTIVITIES IN WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

(a) whether the Government has received complaints of encroachment and illegal mining activities in wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks in the country, particularly Asola Bhatti wildlife sanctuary in Delhi;

(b) If so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to tackle the said problem;

(c) whether the Government has permitted mining/construction activities outside one km. of national parks and sanctuaries in some States and around certain forest areas;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken to prevent encroachments/ illegal mining activities in the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) & (b) No such complaints have received in the wildlife division related to Asola Bhatti wildlife sanctuary.

(c) & (d) Govt. considers proposals for mining/ construction activities outside national parks/ sanctuaries in accordance with Environment Clearance based on Environment Impact Assessment Notification as per Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and Forest Clearance wherever applicable under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, subject to the terms and conditions during appraisal. As part of Environmental Clearance, the proposals located within notified eco-sensitive zones or 10 km of boundary of Wildlife Sanctuaries or National Parks are also referred to Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife.

(e) The Chief Wildlife Wardens of concerned states have the responsibility of preventing encroachments/illegal mining activities in the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country.