Wednesday, February 08,
Chiria iron ore mines of SAIL in the Saranda forest in Paschimi Singhbhum district of Jharkhand gets forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests today.* The approval is subjected to the usual 13 specific conditions governing forest clearance like those relating to compensatory afforestation and Net Present Value. Forest clearances had been given to SAIL earlier in July 1998 and October 1998 for two leases in Chiria itself.
As per the conditions, only mining and primary and secondary crushing be allowed in the forest area. Processing, beneficiation, blending, stockpiling, railway sidings, infrastructure and all township facilities will be 15km away in non-forest land. Only conveyor systems will be used for transportation of ore. A cluster management approach will be adopted for mining-related activities to avoid excessive fragmentation. Thus, the diverted area will be broken up in phases. No disturbance to the forest areas above their water collection points. Other conditions include:
· Forest roads will not be used by SAIL during night time.
· SAIL will position a wildlife management team at Chiria from the start of operations to monitor impacts and take remedial measures as the project proceeds.
· Over the next 20 years 0nly 25% of the total forest area being diverted (equivalent to around 595 hectares) will be broken up.
· SAIL will make a contribution of Rs 20 crore over the next five years for programmes relating to wildlife-related and biodiversity-related programmes in the region with particular focus on the Sarinda Forest Division.
· In keeping with the guidelines issued by the Department of Public Enterprises, SAIL will earmark at least 2% of net profits for CSR activities (as distinct from wildlife and biodiversity management programmes). The CSR will include vocational and skill-development programmes for local youth to begin as the mining activities commence. Employment of local tribal youth will be maximised in a transparent manner.
· Proper mitigative measures to minimise soil erosion and choking of streams will be undertaken.
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