Lok Sabha Question No. 3145 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Ecological Impact of Coal Mining Project
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Anubhav Mohanty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3145

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2021

## Ecological Impact of Coal Mining Project

## 3145.    SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved the coal mining projects in Talabira, Sambalpur district, Odisha;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  had  gathered  an  assessment  from  experts  on  the  adverse ecological impact that the project would have on the forest and the surrounding villages due to the mining activities; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  manner in  which  the  Government  is  likely  to assess the adverse impact of mining in that area?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) &  (b)  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  granted  two Environmental Clearances (EC) for coal mining project in Talabira,  Sambalpur district  of  Odisha.  First  one  was  granted  on  05.03.2001  to  Talabira-I  Opencast Coal mine located at village Khinda district Sambalpur in Odisha in mine lease area  of  170.3  Hectare  for  production  capacity  of  0.4  million  tons  per  annuam, which was later expanded to 3 million tons per annum vide Ministry's letter dated 8 th November, 2011. Further Forest clearance for diversion of 49.62 Hectare has also been accorded for the said project under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

Second Environment Clearance was granted on 11.10.2018 to Talabira-II & III for opencast coal mining for 23 million tons per annum production capacity in an area of 1914.063 Hectare, which is located in districts Sambalpur and Jharsuguda, Odisha. Forest Clearance for this project has been accorded by Ministry for nonforestry use of 1038.187 Hectare of forest land under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

- (c) & (d) Environment  Clearances  are  granted  by  this  Ministry  under  the  provisions  of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, under the Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986  and  after  the  appraisal  of  Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Report & Environment Management Plan (EMP) with recommendation of a technical committee (Expert Appraisal Committee- EAC)

as mandated in EIA, Notification, 2006. While appraising EIA reports for mining project, the EAC considers Environment Management Plan (EMP) as submitted by  project  proponent  based  on  scientific  study  by  taking  into  consideration  of environment  sensitivity  such  as  ecological  area,  wildlife  sanctuary/National Parks, etc. It also assesses the impact of mining activity on nearby habitation/villages.  Environment  Clearances  granted  to  project  are  prescribed with conditions of environment management measures to be adopted by project proponent for protection of flora-fauna of the area including health of habitation around the project site.

Further, it is to mention that any non-forestry activity including coal mining has a possible  impact  on  the  environment.    Whenever  a  proposal  for  diversion  of forestland is received, it is examined and due diligence is made to avoid the use of forestland, or to keep it at bare minimum. In cases where it is unavoidable, the forest  area  is  allowed  to  be  diverted,  subject  to  certain  conditions  including stipulation of Compensatory Afforestation (CA), payment of Net Present Value (NPV) and protection/ afforestation of Safety Zone area. Wherever necessary, the additional  mitigation  measures  in  the  form  of  Soil  and  Moisture  Conservation works, Wildlife Management plan etc. are also stipulated on case-to-case basis.

*****