Open statement in support of No Go zones for mining in forest areas
It has been shocking to see the immense pressure that has been developing from various quarters to reduce the NO GO forest zones to allow coal mining. MoEF has been succumbing to the pressure from the various ministries and drastically reducing the areas demarcated as NO GO zones. This move to open up more forest areas for coal mining is happening with no proper public consultation and with no consideration for the immense biodiversity and livelihood loss and displacement this decision will cause. In December 2010, 27 prominent civil society organizations and networks sent out an open letter to all cabinet ministers and the PM stating that decisions on this classification should be done after wider consultation with various experts, civil society groups and the public.