Lok Sabha Question No. 3835 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Coal Mining in Hasdeo Forest
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3835 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## Coal Mining in Hasdeo Forest

## 3835. Shri Raja Ram Singh:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that coal mining operations in Hasdeo forest do not cause irreversible environmental damage to the region's biodiversity and forest cover;

(b) the manner in which the Government is addressing the concerns of local indigenous and tribal communities whose land and livelihood are being affected by the coal mining activities in Hasdeo forest;

(c) the specific environmental safeguards which have been taken to mitigate the impact of coal mining on the wildlife corridors specifically Lemru Elephant Reserve in Hasdeo forest;

(d) the details of environmental and social impact assessments for ongoing coal mining projects in Hasdeo forest; and

(e)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  is  planning  to  balance  the  coal  extraction  with  India's commitment to climate action and forest conservation particularly in Hasdeo forest?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a):     The  Government,  through  the  Ministry  of  Coal  in  coordination  with  MoEF&CC,  remains committed to ensuring that all coal mining activities in the Hasdeo forest region are carried out in an environmentally  sustainable  and  socially  responsible  manner.  The  Government  is  taking several measures to ensure that coal mining operations are conducted with minimal environmental impact duly protecting the biodiversity and forest cover. It is mandatory to obtain prior Environmental Clearance for opening any new coal mine and also for expansion coal mining projects having more than 5 Ha of mining lease hold area. It is mandatory to obtain Forestry Clearance for opening any new coal mine, if forest land is involved in the project. Steps are being taken to biologically reclaim the mined out area as per the mining plan, EC & FC permission. During biological reclamation all steps are being taken to grow native plants & shrubs. MoEF&CC & State forest department conducts quarterly inspection of  mine  reclamation  area.  Project  Proponent  submits  quarterly/half  yearly  /  Annual  returns  to MoEF&CC, State Forest Department & Pollution Control Board.

(b):   The Government is taking various measures to address the concerns  of local people particularly, tribal communities whose land and livelihood are being affected by the coal mining activities. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (RFCTLARR Act), 2013 is being implemented which aimed at humane, participative, informed and transparent process for land acquisition with the least disturbance to the owners of the land and other affected families.  Just and fair compensation is being provided to affected families whose land has been acquired or proposed  to be acquired or are affected by such acquisition as per the  RFCTLARR  Act. The  Forest  Rights  Act,  2006  (FRA)  mandates  that  the  rights  of  tribal communities  must  be  recognized  and  safeguarded.  Under  this  law, Gram  Sabha  consent  (village council  approval)  is  required  for  opening mining  projects.  Skill  development  programs  are  being

conducted to  affected  families  and  employment  opportunities  are  provided  in  mining  projects  and affiliated industries.

(c):     The  Government  is  taking  required  environmental  safeguards  to  mitigate  the  impact  of  coal mining on wildlife corridors, particularly concerning the Lemru Elephant Reserve in the Hasdeo Arand forest of Chhattisgarh. As a part of obtaining Forest Clearance, Wild Life Management Plan (WLMP) is required to be prepared for safeguarding the habitats. Further, all the terms and conditions imposed by MoEF&CC and State Forest department while giving the Forest Clearance for mining in Hasdeo region are being implemented.

(d):    Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (EIA and SIA) are conducted for all ongoing coal mining projects in the Hasdeo forest region particularly indigenous tribal populations in collaboration with relevant authorities. Below are the key details regarding these assessments:

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) is the statutory process under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is mandated before the approval of any mining project. It includes the assessment of impact on Air, Water, Soil, Forest Cover and Biodiversity. EIA also includes specific mitigation strategies like dust suppression &  water management systems, noise control measures, reforestation plans to counter the environmental impacts of mining activities etc.

In  line  with  the  Forest  Rights  Act,  2006,  the  Social  Impact  Assessment  (SIA)  is  conducted  in consultation with Local Communities to understand and address the effects of coal mining on local communities, especially the indigenous and tribal populations.

The  EIA  and  SIA  are  reviewed  by  the  Expert  Appraisal  Committee  (EAC)  of  the  Ministry  of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) before project approval.

(e):    The Government of India, through the Ministry of Coal and in coordination with MoEF&CC, remains committed to ensuring that all coal mining activities including in the Hasdeo forest region, are carried  out  in  an  environmentally  sustainable  manner  with  a  balance  between coal  extraction  and climate/forest conservation commitments.

(i)   For  opening  new  mine  or  for Expansion  Projects,  prior  Environmental  Clearance  (EC)  is secured  from  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forests  &  Climate  Change  (MoEF&CC)  under Environment  (Protection)  Act  &  Rules,  1986  and  EIA  Notification,  2006  and  subsequent amendments.  The  mines  are  operated  complying  with  the  EC  conditions  thereby  ensuring environment sustainability.

(ii)  In compliance of the Van (Sanrakshan evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, prior Forestry Clearance is also secured from MoEF&CC, in case of projects involving forest land.

(iii)    After receipt of EC, Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) are also secured  from  respective  State  Pollution  Control  Board  under  Air  (Prevention  &  Control  of Pollution) Act,1981 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act,1974.

(iv)  In compliance of EC, FC and Consent conditions, various pollution control measures and environment sustainability measures are undertaken which are regularly monitored and strengthened.

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