By Sidhima Choudhary
Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), a Union Environment Ministry authorised to allow increased drilling of boreholes in forest land. The order focuses on exploration of minerals without needing approval, beforehand, under the Forest Conservation Act 1980. The decision took place in a FAC meeting with the aim to speed up exploration projects but it could possibly erode other ecological debates.
According to the government advisory, for any mineral exploration activity, no clearance under the Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980, an act to conserve the forests, had to be issued. Before the decision, the advisory was necessary.
Under the new exemption reliefs, the ministry will now allow over 62-80 boreholes up to 6-inch diameter per sq km for the survey and other mineral explorations. It will thereby depend on the type of mineral deposited or ore explored. Boreholes typically refer to the holes drilled inside the earth to explore oil, gas, minerals and ores.
This new decision comes out from a report made by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, on the issue and its drawback on forest area. It turns out as a relaxation measure for the Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Mines, making their work convenient.
The report was made in the light of 2024 when the inter ministry coordination and monitoring committee had directed the IIFM to conduct a study on the issue apart with the support of Geological Survey of India and Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited.
According to the present forest conservation law guidelines, falling of over 100 trees, drilling 25 holes per 10 sq km and 80 shot holes per sq km was exempted. After the decision rolled out, the ministry ensured the public that the drilling and other activities related to it will not affect the wildlife, in any sort of way. The survey time was mentioned to be between 9 AM to 5:30 PM and that the hole will be covered with cement, immediately after the drill.