Changes to mining laws open doors for forest resource extraction

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Kollam: The recent amendments to mining legislation by the Centre have opened avenues for mining not only beneath the sea but also deep within forests. Among these amendments is the provision that allows sand mining off the Kerala coast.
The critical changes made to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 in 2023 have also paved the way for exploring and mining granite deposits within dense forests.
By including titanium-rich minerals, comparable to black sand found along the coasts and ores such as ilmenite, rutile, and leucoxene, in the Act's Seventh Schedule, private agencies can now seek permission for exploration and mining of these resources. However, black sand mining alone remains restricted to the public sector.
In parallel, amendments to the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 now permit private investors to engage in activities like ecotourism alongside government agencies. The revised law also includes provisions for establishing zoos and safari projects within forests.
These changes follow a recommendation by a high-level committee under NITI Aayog, which suggested that forest clearance should no longer be required for survey and exploration activities.
The Union Government maintains that non-forest activities such as surveys and exploration do not significantly alter forest land. Meanwhile, amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act of 2002 have facilitated exploration and mining at sea.
These changes align with the Union Government's Blue Economy policy, which seeks to harness all marine resources, including minerals, mines, and natural gases.
State bill supports Centre's amendments
Critics allege that Kerala's Forest Amendment Bill complements the Centre's legislative changes, effectively clearing the path for exploration and mining in forests.
The Kerala Forest Amendment Bill aims to enhance the powers of forest officials, which could be used to suppress protests by environmentalists and other stakeholders opposing mining or tourism projects inside the forests.