Jairam clears more area for coal mining

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has relented a bit on the issue of mining of coal in forest areas. After persistent requests from the Coal Ministry,the Environment Ministry has decided to increase the area where coal mining can be done — the so-called ‘go-areas’ — by nearly 35,000 hectares.

The Ministry has classified forest land into ‘go’ and ‘no-go’ areas for coal mining firms. According to the initial classification,the ministry had identified nearly 3,45,000 hectares of land where mining could be carried out,subject to environmental and other clearance. The other areas were ‘no-go’ areas.

The increase in ‘go’ areas has come near places where mining is already being done. “I think we are ready to live with about 3,80,000 hectares of ‘go’ areas. The increase has come in areas where underground mining is proposed to be taken. We are okay with underground mining,” Ramesh said.