Coal news and updates

Coal ministry seeks exemption from forest clearances

The ministry of coal has sought an exemption from forest clearances in prospecting for coal to help boost production of the fuel.

If accepted, the move, which is currently being considered by the environment ministry, would potentially cut delays in coal exploration.

Some of the trial studies conducted jointly by the environment ministry and the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) have, however, shown that drilling operations for exploration in some forest blocks affected movement of elephants and had an adverse impact on herbs and medicinal plants.

The findings may make it difficult for the environment ministry to give the coal ministry general approval for such exploration.

The issue was discussed in a 10 July meeting of environment minister Prakash Javadekar and coal minister Piyush Goyal. In the meeting, it was decided that the environment ministry’s forest advisory committee (FAC), a statutory body for forest clearances, will consider the proposal.

The coal ministry has been seeking general approval for exploration of coal in forest areas for years citing delays in approvals. “The process has got a solid push under the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government,” according to a senior environment ministry official, who did not want to be named.

“It is primarily because the environment ministry has given several general approvals for infrastructure projects in border areas citing national interest. And the argument with coal is that it is also important for nation’s growth and thus should be given general approval too,” the official explained.

Drilling of boreholes is undertaken to assess coal reserves in a particular area because they then form the basis of mining plans and formulation of project reports. It usually involves drilling of 18-20 boreholes per 10 sq. km.

The move, however, doesn’t find support from environmentalists.

“General approval, if given, would be a direct violation of the forest rights Act. It is going to result in conflict with lot of other environmental laws too and going to a big disaster. It is also in conflict with rights of tribal and other forest dwellers living in such forests,” said Tushar Dash, an Odisha-based environment researcher. “Forests are already under huge pressure in the name of development.”

While the coal ministry’s contention is that the environment ministry should exempt it from seeking forest clearance for prospecting minerals under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the latter says that as drilling may require felling of trees, it requires forest clearance.

“Construction of roads for allowing transportation of drilling rigs to bore hole sites would require roads and thus needs to be properly examined,” the environment ministry official added.

According to the coal ministry and CMPDI, there are 70 pending proposals seeking approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act before various state governments.

source: http://www.livemint.com