1935. SHRI KIRTI AZAD:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has conducted a study to find out the effects of coal mining in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur region on Tiger habitats;
(b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
(c) whether the Government has assessed that the ecological impact caused by coal mining can be reversed through afforestation;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) No Sir.
(b) Question does not arise.
(c) No Sir.
(d) Question does not arise.
(e) While according approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for mining projects, the Ministry stipulates various measures such as compensatory afforestation, conservation plans, wildlife management plan, reclamation plans, soil and moisture conservation measures etc., to mitigate the adverse effects of mining activities.