1,00,871 hectares of forest land used for mining

Altogether 1,309 applications for mining involving about 1,00,871 hectares of forest land have been approved since the enactment of the Forest Conservation Act, the Lok Sabha was informed today. However, from 2005 till November 2009, 12148.71 hectares of forest land was diverted for 211 mining works, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said while replying to a written question. During this period, Andhra Pradesh topped the list seeking diversion of 2,889.43 hectares of land for 36 mining cases followed by Karnataka where 2196.94 hectares of forest land has been used for 25 mining projects, he said giving state-wise details of forest land diversions. The minister said the government accords approval for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes only after the compliance report indicating fulfilment of stipulated conditions is received through the state authorities. "In case of violations of the stipulated conditions, the Forest Act, 1980, provides for penal action against the offenders...," Ramesh added.