Question raised in Lok Sabha on Mining in Forest Areas, 01/12/2015
Question raised in Lok Sabha on Mining in Forest Areas, 01/12/2015. The Government of India grants prior approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 to use forest land for the purpose for various development projects. The Central Government has accorded approvals under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 over 3,866 ha in 30 cases during 2012, 8,450 ha in 42 cases in 2013, 13,043 ha in 58 cases in 2014 and 4,889 in 35 cases during the year 2015 for mining. Forest areas for such activities are approved by the Central Government under Section 2 (ii) of the Forest (conservation) Act, 1980 with adequate environmental safeguards and afforestation measures in lieu of forest land proposed to be utilized for developmental activities.