MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (b) Two proposals, involving 639.169 ha for Bauxite mining in Saguja
district and 365.056 ha for coal mining in Dharamjaygarh district of Chhattisgarh,
were received for environment clearance (EC). The proposal for Bauxite mine was
accorded EC on 06-10-2008 by the Central Government.
(c) to (d) According to the information provided by the State Government
majority of the land under possession of BALCO falls in the category of revenue
forest / chhote-bade Jhar ke jungle and complaints of illegal felling of trees
have been received from time to time. In one such case, a fine of Rs.4,04,000/-
was realized from BALCO. Some of the complaints are pending in the Court of Upper
Collector, Korba for decision. However, the recent complaint dated 19.02.2006
received from Dainink Jagaran, Raipur about illicit mining of Bauxite by BALCO
was found to be baseless by the State Forest Department.
(e) to (f) The Supreme court vide its order dated 29-02-2008 considered the
report filed by CEC on BALCO. It was alleged that BALCO is in possession of illegal
encroachment to the extent of land / revenue forest land, they are using for non-
forest purpose. The court directed BALCO to file its response on the report of CEC.
The Court further directed that BALCO, meanwhile, shall not cut / remove trees,
if any. The Forest / Revenue Department shall not permit to remove the trees which
are already cut.
(g) BALCO was directed to pay Rs.30,52,69,839/- as NPV for 325.101 ha of revenue
forest land and Rs.4,70,97,382/- as compensatory afforestation as per directions
contained in its order dated 17-10-2007 of the Supreme Court in WP (civil) no. 202/
1995 and 171/1996 and by the High Court, Bilaspur order dated 06-02-2009 in WP
no.5328/1996. The matter has not been finally decided by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
