Lok Sabha Question No. 2744 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Impact of Open Cast Mining on Flora and Fauna
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Smt. Dhanorkar Pratibha Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2744 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## Impact of Open Cast Mining on Flora and Fauna

## 2744. SMT. DHANORKAR PRATIBHA SURESH:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that dust from mining operations is harming flora and fauna, if so, the details in this regard along with the stand of the Government thereon;
- (b) whether the forest area is being destroyed due to open cast mining, if so, the details of the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  implement  any  new  scheme  for  the conservation and restoration of forest areas, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a)    The potential impact on the flora and fauna of the area is evaluated prior to granting approval under the  Van  (Sanrakshan  Evam  Samvardhan)  Adhiniyam,  1980  and  the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. To mitigate or minimize the possible impact of dust from mining  operations  on  the  environment  including  flora  and  fauna,  a  range  of  measures  are prescribed, including compensatory afforestation to offset the loss of vegetation, implementation of a wildlife conservation plan to address adverse effects on fauna, greenbelt development in safety zone to prevent dust propagation outside the mine lease area and phased reclamation of mined-out areas for  land restoration. All such measures  are mandated to  be executed at the cost of the project proponent.

Further,  Environmental  Clearances  (ECs)  are  granted  under  the  provisions  of  the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, under the Environment (Protection) Act,  1986.    EIA  Notification,  2006  includes  four  stages  of  evaluation  before  grant  of Environmental Clearance namely screening, scoping, public consultation and appraisal. The projects/activities are assigned Terms of References based on scoping by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) to prepare Environment Impact Assessment Report (EIA)/ Environment Management Plan (EMP). These reports are then appraised by the EAC as mandated in EIA, Notification,  2006.  The  EIA/  EMP  report  prepared  by  the  Project  Proponents  through accredited consultants are based on scientific study by taking into consideration of environmental  sensitivity  such  as  ecological  area,  wildlife  sanctuary/  National  Parks,  etc. Based on the evaluation of EIA/EMP report and after thorough discussion/deliberation, EAC recommends the mining projects with certain specific and standard conditions to safeguard environment including the flora and fauna.  Additionally, mining projects have been directed to comply the Office Memorandum dated 24.07.2024 of the Ministry, wherein it is stated that the plantation of saplings shall be carried out in the earmarked 33% greenbelt area as part of the tree plantation campaign 'EK Ped Ma ke Naam' ( एक पेड़ माँ क े नाम ) and the details of the same shall be uploaded in the Meri Life portal.

(b) &  (c) As per the provisions of Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, the prior approval of the Central Govt. is required for using any forestland for non-forest purposes. The Central Government considers the proposals for diversion of forest land on case to case basis and in case the use of forest land is unavoidable, the bare minimum forest land is allowed to  be  used  with  appropriate mitigation  measures  including  the  Compensatory Afforestation (CA), payment of Net Present Value (NPV), Soil and Moisture Conservation works, Catchment Area Treatment Plan and Wildlife Management plan etc. on case- to-case basis. Further, the guidelines  issued  by  the  Ministry  provide  that  the  mining  lease  holder  shall,  after  ceasing mining operations, undertake re- grassing the mining area, and any other areas which may have been disturbed due their mining activities and restore the land to a condition which is fit for growth of fodder, flora, fauna, etc.

Beside  above, the Ministry is actively implementing  several  schemes  for  the conservation and restoration of forest areas. These include the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, which aims at afforestation and  ecosystem  restoration  across  forest  and  non-forest  landscapes.  The  Nagar  Van  Yojana (NVY) focuses on creating green spaces in urban areas to protect forests from degradation and encroachment. The "School Nursery Yojana" engages students in environmental conservation by fostering an appreciation for plant biodiversity. Additionally, the Government has launched the "Mangrove Initiative for  Shoreline Habitats  &  Tangible  Incomes" (MISHTI)  to  restore mangrove ecosystems along India's coastlines. Furthermore, funds under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) are utilized for forest and wildlife conservation efforts, including afforestation initiatives. These measures collectively contribute to environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

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