Encroachment on Forest Land

PIB, March 3, 2010
Lok Sabha


A three member team has enquired into issue of violation of the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, in Orissa. It enquired impact of a project on Tribal Rights and Wildlife conservation in the case of diversion of 660.749 ha of forest land for mining of Bauxite ore in Lanjigarh Bauxite Reserve in favour of Orissa Mining Corporation in Kalahandi and Rayagade districts. The team had two officials and one non-official member. The report is awaited.

The Ministry has not received any complaint of allegation of endangering the lives of people by M/s Vedanta and its subsidiaries so far. However, complaints have been received against M/s Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO), a subsidiary of M/s. Vedanta in Chattisgarh, regarding violation of the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act. The report from the State Government of Chattisgarh is awaited.

The Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh gave this information in a written reply to a question by Shri. S.R. Jeyaduari in Lok Sabha today.