Forest dept wants a total ban on mining…..Sandeep Ashar
Concern Over Leases In Wildlife Corridor
Concern Over Leases In Wildlife Corridor
Mumbai: The state forest department is pushing for a total ban on mining in forest corridors and near wildlife sanctuaries.
Claiming that indiscriminate mining near those areas was driving animals away,the department wants the state government to formulate a policy declaring the areas as nomining territory.
The department has voiced concern about mining leases issued or under consideration in the wildlife corridor connecting the Koyana sanctuary in Satara,the Radhanagari wildlife sanctuary in Kolhapur and the Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserve in Karnataka.
At least 49 bauxite and iron ore mining leases have been issued or proposed in these areas by the revenue department of the state government.
An internal assessment by the department has found that an increase in human and vehicular activities due to mining near wildlife areas was driving the animals away.
The mining was also posing a threat to the habitat of eight tigers in these areas.Even as it has blocked clearance for at least three mines in the region,the department wants the state government to issue a directive for a total ban on mining.
During former chief minister Ashok Chavans regime,the mining portfolio was handled by revenue minister Narayan Rane.
But chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has retained the mining portfolio,which forest department officials hope will work in their favour.
A senior official said mining should not be permitted even on private land within three km of the corridor.Apart from disturbing wildlife,it inevitably leads to trees on government land being felled to make way for mining operations, the senior official added.