The Hindu : Karnataka News : Comprehensive forest policy on the anvil

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Tuesday, Aug 03, 2010
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Comprehensive forest policy on the anvil

Special Correspondent

PANAJI: Goa Minister for Forests Filipe Neri Rodrigues promised the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly on Monday that the State Government will not allow any new projects using forest land for non-forest purposes till a comprehensive State Forest policy was adopted. He said that the policy was under preparation.

The Minister faced flak from the Opposition on the issue of allowing projects, including land for mining activities and ore dumps, in forest land. Mr. Rodrigues promised the members that the Government will not allow any new licences for projects in this connection and he will consult Union Minister for Environment and Forests to cancel the projects recommended by the Government.

The Opposition has been cornering the State Government over the rampant illegal mining in different parts of the State in which forest land is also not spared. The issue of illegal mining has been raised incessantly in the ongoing monsoon session, whether it is during the question hour or during the debate on budget demands.

In a written reply to another question on Monday, the Minister for Forests, who also holds Water Resources portfolio, said that 182 mining leases in the State are located in close proximity of water bodies.

Mr. Rodrigues has said that the Water Resources Department has assigned the task of studying the impact of mining on water bodies to an independent agency for assessment.

The department has been monitoring some rivers and notices have been issued to mining agencies found polluting or damaging river or water bodies, the written reply of the Minister said.

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