In-principle approval given for diversion of 65.52 ha forest land for Hindustan Copper Limited’s project
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, has accorded In-Principle (Stage-I) Forest Clearance Approval under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, for the diversion of 65.52 hectares of forest land to facilitate the expansion of Surda Copper Underground Mine project by Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) in East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand.
JAMSHEDPUR – In a significant development for the mining sector in Jharkhand, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted In-Principle (Stage-I) Forest Clearance Approval for the diversion of 65.52 hectares of forest land to enable the expansion of the Surda Copper Underground Mine project by Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL).
The approval, issued under the provisions of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, was communicated to the Principal Secretary (Forests), Government of Jharkhand, through a letter dated as per e-Sign.
The proposal for forest land diversion was thoroughly examined by the Advisory Committee constituted by the Central Government under Section-3 of the aforementioned Act.
After careful consideration of the State Government’s proposal and the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, the Central Government has granted the Stage-I clearance, subject to the fulfillment of 29 conditions stipulated in the approval letter.
These conditions include maintaining the legal status of the diverted forest land, transferring funds for the Net Present Value (NPV) of the forest land, implementing the approved Integrated Wildlife Management Plan, and undertaking gap planting and soil & moisture conservation activities, among others.
HCL is required to protect and demarcate the diverted forest land on the surface, prepare a list of existing village tanks and water bodies within a 5-km radius of the mine lease boundary, and undertake desilting of these water bodies to mitigate the impact of siltation.
The company must also monitor mining-induced subsidence, implement mitigative measures to minimize soil erosion, and undertake concurrent reclamation of the mined-over area as per the approved mining plan.
The approval is co-terminus with the period of the mining lease proposed under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and its amendments.
HCL is required to submit annual self-compliance reports to the State Government, concerned Regional Office, and the MoEFCC by the end of March every year.
The Stage-I clearance is a crucial step towards the expansion of the Surda Copper Underground Mine project, which is expected to boost copper production and contribute to the economic growth of the region.
