MINING SECTOR ADDRESSES ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
The National Mineral
Policy recognized the concern and directed that no mining lease
would be granted to any party, private or public, without a proper
mining plan including an environment management plan, approved
and enforced by statutory authorities. In accordance with the
policy, the mining law provides that all mining operations should
be done in accordance with mining plans. The mining plan specifies
the details of geology of the area, a plan of the area showing
the natural water courses, limits of reserves and other forest
areas, assessment of impact of mining activity on forest, land
surface and the environment including in terms of air and water
pollution, details of the scheme of restoration of the area by
afforestation, land reclamation and use of pollution control devices.
The Central Government
enacted the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988,
which has prescribed detailed rules regarding the scheme of prospecting,
mining plans and measures to be taken for the protection of the
environment. The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) enforces these Rules
and in case of serious default it is empowered to close down a
mine. The Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Environment and
Forests hold regular interaction meetings with the mining industry
and much of the procedural simplifications and awareness building
has come about through this constructive approach.
