October 12, 2008

TN urges centre to allow using forest land for iron ore projects

It is reported that Tamil Nadu forest department has sent a proposal to union ministry of environment & forests for clearing a natural forest to take up an iron ore mining project in Salem.

A letter sent from the state environment & forest secretary said that a proposal under the section 2 of Forest Conservation Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land over an extent of 638 hectare in Kanjamalai reserve forest of Salem forest division, Shervoroys range in Salem district for an iron ore project by Tamil Nadu Iron Ore Mining Corporation Limited.

The district forest officer of Salem had inspected the proposed area and identified the proposed mining area to an extent of 638 hectare. The user agency had identified an area of 1,928.440 hectare in Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Tirunelveli districts from which compensatory afforestation land of 1,276 hectare could be taken away by forest department.

Tamil Nadu Iron Ore Mining Corporation Limited submitted a proposal in which the company agreed to pay the amount for net present value to be fixed by forest department, to give compensatory a forestation land as required by the forest department, to pay the amount fixed for the exploitation of trees likely to be felled and the lease rent amount to be fixed by the department.