Lok Sabha Question No. 119 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Diversion of Forest Land on Lease for Coal Mining
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Chandra Prakash Choudhary

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 119

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025

## Diversion of Forest Land on Lease for Coal Mining

## 119. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY

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

- (a) whether the forest land has been provided on lease for coal mining purposes to the public  sector  undertaking  companies  as  well  as  private  companies  in  the  State  of Jharkhand during the last five years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that companies are involved in illegal mining in forest lands or diversion of river or natural water resources, particularly by Hazaribagh Pakri Barwadih coal mines and Hill top private company, Sanjay Udyog, R.K. mines in Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) and other coal mines companies in the State of Jharkhand and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the action taken against the defaulters and violator companies/Mandal Development Officers (MDOs) by the Government; and
- (d) whether any legal matter is pending before the Green Tribunal, the High Court or the Supreme Court in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d) 'Land' is a State subject. The forest areas and the legal boundaries thereof are determined and maintained by the concerned State Government/UT Administration. Accordingly, the final decision to assign on lease or  allot  the forest land for any non-forestry purpose is within the domain of the concerned State  Government/  UT  Administration.  However,  the  prior  approval  of  the Central Government under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 is required for using any forest land for non-forestry purposes. A forest area of 2591.75 ha in the State of Jharkhand has been diverted under Section 2 (1) (ii) of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 in mining category during 01/04/2020 to 31/03/2025.

It is pertinent to mention that the primary responsibility of protection of forests from various threats including illegal mining lies with the respective States and Union Territories (UTs). The respective State Governments and UT Administrations  take  action  in  this  regard,  as  per  the  extant  Acts,  Rules  and guidelines.

The  Violations  of  the  provisions  of  Van  (Sanrakshan  Evam  Samvardhan) Adhiniyam,  1980  including  those  in  Pakri  Barwadih  coal  mines  are  dealt  in accordance with the provisions of the prevailing legislation and the guidelines made thereunder. Further, as regards the legal matters pertaining to the mine in question, compliance of the directions of Hon'ble Courts/Tribunals is carried out by the concerned Government in accordance with the provisions of the extant Acts/Rules/Guidelines, keeping in view the directions of Hon'ble Courts/Tribunals.

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