Unresolved conflicts characterize environmental nod to 70 of 75 projects involving 7.28 lakh ha land: Study

A recent research study has said that of the “75 cases of conflict over land use change” involving 7,28,673 hectares (ha) “officially transferred through environmental clearance process”, in as many of 70 conflicts have remained unresolved even today. The projects have been chosen out of a list of environmental clearances granted to 14,498 projects, uploaded on the Union environment ministry’s website as of October 2017.

Most of the land use changes carried out for satisfying the demand for “developmental” needs relate to infrastructure expansion and industrial acceleration, and urbanisation. Read more

Courtesy: Counterview

NALCO revives bauxite mining proposal

Public sector National Aluminium Company (NALCO), which has bauxite mines and alumina refinery and smelter in neighbouring Odisha, has revived its proposal for bauxite mining and investment on aluminium complex in Visakhapatnam district generating a lot of interest among various circles. Read more

Courtesy: The Hindu

Authorities shutter illegal mines

Nearly 30 illegal gold mining operations have been shuttered in Mondolkiri province over the past week as officials with Mines and Environment ministries continue a compliance push in the wake of a poisoning case that killed 13 villagers downstream in Kratie province.

Leat Limkun, chief of Keo Seima district’s Chong Phlas commune, said yesterday that joint forces from the national and provincial levels shut down 29 anarchic gold mining operations in Chong Phlas commune over the past week. Read more

Courtesy: Khmer Times

Expedite Keonjhar projects, urges Chief Secretary

Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi Tuesday asked officials to ensure timely completion of all projects under District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and Odisha Mineral Bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBADC) fund in Keonjhar district.

Reviewing the progress of projects funded from the above mentioned corpuses, Padhi directed the district administration to take up drinking water projects on saturation mode; meeting requirements of all the villages.

Further, he advised to plan such projects which will add to the quality of service delivery particularly, in the sectors of health, skill development, additional nutrition to the women and children, and quality education at primary level.

According to sources, in addition to the ongoing projects and programmes financed from budgetary sources, 564 projects have been envisaged for the district from the DMF and OMBADC funds.

Keonjhar Collector Ashish Kumar Thakare appraised that as of now 551 projects worth `1,017 crore have been sanctioned under DMF, of which, 120 projects have been completed and others are in various stages of implementation.

OMBADC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Uma Nanduri said 13 projects, estimated to be around `2,500 crore, have been proposed for the district and are under consideration of government. The projects will be sanctioned soon for implementation in the district in the current year, she added.

Source: Orissa Post

Saikia seeks funds release

Guwahati: Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia has urged Assam’s minister for mines and minerals, Sum Ronghang, to ensure the expedited collection and utilisation of funds for the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) for the welfare of people living in the vicinity of mining sites.

In a recent letter to Ronghang, Saikia said the setting up of the foundations in all districts of Assam had been notified in 2016 in accordance with the Mines and Minerals (Contribution to District Minerals Foundation) Rules, 2015, promulgated by the Centre.

However, not a single penny of the trust funds had been released or utilised for the benefit of the people of Sivasagar district where mining of petroleum and natural gas, stone and sand is undertaken on a sizeable scale, he alleged.

The Opposition leader pointed out that lease holders are supposed to pay a levy over and above royalty to compensate for the adverse fallout of mining activities, such as air and water pollution, along with loss of valuable naturals resources.

Saikia said the intention behind imposing levy ranging from 2 per cent to 30 per cent of the relevant royalty would stand defeated if funds were not regularly collected and spent through the foundation trusts for the benefit of those who suffered the most owing to mining.

Source: The Telegraph

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