JAIPUR: To safeguard the environment, generate revenue, and create jobs, the Government of Rajasthan plans to develop precise guidelines on mining activities in forest regions. Inter-departmental cooperation among the Forest Department, Department of Mines and Geology, and Directorate of Petroleum is currently underway.
Usha Sharma, Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan, said on Saturday, that these rules for granting approval for mining activities on forest land would benefit forest conservation and ecosystem protection. Mining leases are a significant source of revenue for the state government. Speaking at a meeting of the Group of Secretaries on Inter-Departmental Issues, Sharma said that all issues will be resolved quickly in order to support the rapid development of the forestry, horticulture, and related areas.
Other issues discussed at the meeting were mining of iron ore deposits in the Karauli district, issuing no objection certificates for allotment of mining leases in urban local bodies, repatriation of forest land, notifications on eco-sensitive zones, and e-auction of mining plots in sensitive forest areas.