PANAJI
In what could accelerate resumption of fresh iron ore mining activities in Goa, the Advisory Committee of the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has accepted State’s request for transfer of forest clearance to the successful new bidder of the mineral block from the previous lease holders, without having to apply for a fresh permit.
The Advisory Committee, during its meeting held on July 25th, has recommended the Ministry for transfer of approval under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 from the erstwhile mining firm to the new lease holders. The exemption is meant to facilitate smooth handover of mines that are being auctioned and for speedy resumption of iron ore activities within.
The conditions for transfer of forest clearance include complete compliance of terms and conditions stipulated in the forest clearance granted previously, and rules and guidelines framed thereafter.
In Goa, so far 12 mineral blocks have been auctioned while another four are likely to go for aution in the coming days.
The State had approached the Forest Advisory Committee seeking permission to vest erstwhile Forest Clearances into the new leaseholders for iron ore mining as per Section 8 B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2021.
The Committee noted that 88 mining leases renewed by the Govt of Goa were cancelled by the Supreme Court and the same are being auctioned now and highest bidders take it.
MoEF & CC has declared that the ECs obtained earlier stands cancelled, hence not available for new Lessee, the Committee said while observing that there is no clarity on Forest Clearance and Wildlife Clearance and hence, Goa State just wants to ensure that FC and WL clearance continues and available to the new Lessee.
“Transfer of approval of mining leases which were cancelled by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and subsequently, auctioned to successful bidders in Goa, the Ministry may consider transfer of approval granted under the Adhiniyam from the erstwhile lessee to the new lessee in line with the provision of the guidelines given under para 7.4 (vi) of the Consolidated Guidelines and Clarifications issued by the Ministry on 29.12.2023,” the Committee recommended.
As per the guidelines issued by the Ministry in 2023, the Approval granted under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 to erstwhile user agency may be transferred by the Ministry in favour of the successful bidder in MoEF&CC, New Delhi on case to case basis.
The State Government while submitting such proposals for transfer of approval to the Ministry shall submit the updated status and detail of compensatory afforestation, status of payment of NPV, implementation of Reclamation and Rehabilitation Plan, funds utilization by the Special Purpose Vehicle for the conservation and protection of forests, action taken report on the violations of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 committed by the erstwhile agency and status of approval of the forest land located in the safety zone.
