Forest clearances extended to match coal mine leases

EARLIER, RULES FRAMED UNDER THE FOREST CONSERVATION LAW, CLEARANCES FOR COAL MINE LEASES COULD BE GRANTED FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF 30 YEARS

- Jayashree Nandi

The Union environment ministry has extended the validity of forest clearances, which will now be the same as validity of coal mine leases granted under the Coal Bearing ‘Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957, according to a letter it issued to all states and UTs earlier this month.

Earlier the guidelines and rules framed under Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam 1980 (the forest conservation law), forest clearances for coal mine leases could be granted for a maximum period of 30 years. The Chhattisgarh government through a letter dated March 10 sought clarification on the relevant provisions of extension of validity of approvals granted under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023 to coal mining projects, according to documents seen by HT. The matter was thereafter discussed by the Forest Advisory Committee of the environment ministry on June 12.