What Extent is the Loss of Forest Land for Establishing New Industries ?

During the period from 01.01.1991 to 15.03.2012 the Central Government accorded 20,267 approvals under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980   for diversion of 8, 64,178.79 hectares of forest land. Giving further details in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today the Minister of State (I/C) for Environment & Forest Smt. JayanthiNatarajan stated that the Central Government the number of applications seeking environment clearance for industries, mines, coals and roads projects pending for more than two years are as below:

Mines (non-coal sectors):   06

Industries:                           Nil

Coal Mines:                         01

Roads:                                 Nil

On a question Whether it whether it is a fact that many Public Sector Units got the coal block surrendered as they could not get the clearance of the Ministry?

The Minister Said that the Ministry of Environment did not receive information that many Public Sector Units got the coal blocks surrendered as they could not get the clearance of the Ministry.