Lok Sabha Question No. 2044 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Sand Mining in Reserve Forest Areas
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Uttam Kumar Nalamada Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2044

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.02.2021

## Sand Mining in Reserve Forest Areas

## 2044.  SHRI UTTAM KUMAR REDDY NALAMADA:

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

- (a) the  number  and  details  of  sand  quarries  being  permitted  in  reserve  forest  areas  in Telangana;
- (b) whether  any  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  has  been  conducted  in  this  regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the total area of forest land allocated for sand mining in Telangana;
- (d) whether any regulations and restrictions have been imposed by the Government for setting up of such projects in reserve forest areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the details of the potential effects of such mining activities on the ecosystems of these forests; and
- (f) whether the  Government has taken any steps to stop illegal sand mining in reserve forest areas in Telangana and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) to (c) No Sir. No such permission has been granted under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for sand quarries in Reserved Forest areas in Telangana.
- (d) As  per  the  provisions  under  the  Forest  (Conservation)  Act,  1980  no  State Government  or  other  authorities  is  allowed  to  permit  mining  in  forest  areas without  prior  approval  of  Central  Government.  At  the  time  of  according  prior approval  adequate  precaution  is  taken  by  stipulating  appropriate  compensatory and mitigation measures, so as to minimise any adverse effect of mining on forest eco-systems.

Sand  mining  projects  also  require  prior  environmental  clearance  as  per  the Environment  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  Notification,  2006,  in  addition  to  the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the Mineral Concession Rules framed by the concerned State Governments. Besides above, the Central Government has issued Guidelines &Monitoring  Guidelines for Sand  Mining  in January, 2020  for

namely Sustainable  Sand  Management  Guidelines  (SSMG)  2016  and  Enforcement effective enforcement of regulatory provision and their monitoring in respect of sand and gravel mining from its commencement to final end-use by the consumers.

- (e) & (f) Every non-forestry use of forest land including mining has certain likely impact on environment.There are statutory regulations and restrictions under the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which take care of mitigation of such potential impact.

The  Central  Government  issues  broad  guidelines  and  advisories  for  smooth implementations  of  various  environment  and  forest  laws.  The  enforcement  of various legal provisions including enforcement of guidelines for sustainable sand mining  with  a  view  to  contain  the  menace  of  illegal  sand  mining  lies  in  the domain of the State Governments and Union territories Administrations.

Appropriate  steps  are  taken  by  the  State  Forest  Departments  (including  by  the Telangana Forest Department) for protectionof the forests and wildlife,controlling illegal encroachments, timber smuggling, wildlife poaching, illegal  mining  activity  through  continuous  patrolling,  engaging  man  power  for base  camps,  tiger  trackers,  fire  watchers  etc.  and  also  erecting  check  posts  at strategic  points.  The  enforcement  &  monitoring  guidelines  of  sand  mining  are being followed to stop illegal sand mining.