BHUBANESWAR: The Ministry of Environment and Forests has sanctioned stage-II and final level clearance to National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) for diversion of 110.3 hectares of forest land for bauxite mining lease in Koraput. The forest diversion was required for the renewal of its mining lease for 20 years in Panchpatmali South Block. The original lease period was for 30 years. Since the Navratna PSU has embarked upon a slew of expansion projects, this forest clearance will help enhance its production capacity. As per the approval, the period of diversion of the forest land shall be for a duration co-terminus with the period of mining lease proposed to be granted under the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulating) Act, 1957, or Rules framed thereunder, subject to a maximum period of 20 years. As per the lease conditions, Nalco has to fulfil certain conditions laid down by the ministry. The company has to take up afforestation on degraded forest land and prepare plan to wean away the practitioners of the ecologically destructive jhum cultivation in vicinity of the forest land being diverted and provide funds for its implementation. The Centre, while granting the approval, has also directed the State Government to ensure the proper utilisation of the company’s CSR fund for peripheral development activities. The State Government had earlier sought approval of the Centre for the diversion of 110.3 hectares forest land as per Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. After receiving the in-principle Stage-I approval for the diversion, the Government furnished compliance report and sought the grant of final approval.
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