Question : SIMPLIFICATION OF FOREST ACT

(a) whether proper exploitation of the mineral resources in the country including in Madhya Pradesh is not taking place on account of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the rules framed thereunder;

(b) if so, whether the Union Government proposes to simplify these rules;

(c) if so, the time by which these rules are likely to be simplified;

(d) whether the Union Government proposes to make provisions under these rules to grant required sanction with in a maximum period of 6 months under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a)to(e) The exploitation of mineral resources in the country including in the Madhya Pradesh on forest land is taken up after seeking prior approval of the Central Government for the diversion of forest land for non-forestry use including mining under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003. So far, 2663 proposals of mining have been received in the Ministry and 1666 proposals of mining have been accorded approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. In case of Madhya Pradesh, only 9 proposals of mining are pending for approval. As the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003 are yielding desired results, no proposals to modify rules for according approval is under consideration of the Ministry.