Question : RECKLESS MINING

(a). whether reckless mining by many companies including some undertakings of the public sector has been causing heavy damage to the environment;

(b). if so, the details thereof along with the details of such companies, State-wise including Jharkhand;

(c). the action taken by the Government in this regard in collaboration with State Governments;

(d). whether the Government has issued notifications under Environment Protection Act, 1986, restricting the use of soil for roads near coal plants;

(e). if so, the details thereof and the cases of violation of the said notification reported so far; and

(f). the action taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has observed violations by mining companies in respect of enhancement of production without prior environmental clearance and not obtaining environmental clearance during renewal stage of mining lease. During the year 2013-14 and 2014-15 (up to 30.06.2014), the MoEF&CC has issued directions to various State Governments for filing complaints under Section 15/19 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 in Competent Courts of Law in case of 238 mining projects for violation of the provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The State-wise details, including for the State of Jharkhand, are at Annexure.

(d) to (f): The MoEF&CC has issued notification for promoting the utilization of fly ash in 1999, as amended, which inter-alia, prescribes for restriction of excavation of top soil for manufacture of bricks, promotion of utilization of fly ash in the manufacture of building material, and in construction activity, prohibition of reclamation and compaction of low lying areas with soil, etc. within a radius of one hundred kilometers from coal or lignite based thermal power plants. The concerned State Government or Union Territory Government is required to take appropriate action under the law on violations.