The FAC had taken up the proposal in its meeting on February 23 and it had observed that exploratory drilling for prospecting of mineral ore over an area of about 10m x 10m per drilling site is a non-forestry activity.
The Environment Ministry's forest advisory committee (FAC) has deferred the Ministry of Coal's proposal seeking exemption from forest clearances for enhancing the density of boreholes as part of mineral ore exploration or prospecting on forest land.
The FAC had taken up the proposal in its meeting on February 23 and it had observed that exploratory drilling for prospecting of mineral ore over an area of about 10m x 10m per drilling site is a non-forestry activity. It added that drilling of 20 such holes per sq km will 'certainly affect forests and wildlife', minutes of the meeting showed.
It has thus asked the Coal Ministry to submit a more detailed proposal to examine the matter. "They have sought total exemption from forest clearances while looking to increase the density of boreholes. It is unlikely that we will grant them exemptions, but we will examine the matter and look to simplify the clearance procedure," a ministry official said.
In early 2016, acting on a request from the Coal Ministry and Ministry of Mines, FAC had relaxed norms for prospecting of minerals, allowing it in moderately dense forests and open forests on the basis of a general approval and submission of geo-referenced maps.
The Coal Ministry sought more relaxations and wanted exemptions from the process of forest clearances.
In the past, the Environment Ministry in collaboration with Coal Ministry carried out studies to gauge the impact of mineral exploration on forests and wildlife. The studies had shown that tree felling for exploration disturbed local flora and fauna extensively and also affected elephants passing through wildlife corridors.
Past Reference
In early 2016, FAC had relaxed norms for prospecting of minerals, allowing it in moderately dense forests and open forests on the basis of a general approval and submission of geo-referenced maps.
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