NMDC Allowed to Mine Diamonds in Panna
The central government has allowed M/s National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) to mine of diamonds in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna, said official release.
In a written reply to a query by Manohar Joshi in Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said that Madhya Pradesh government had sent two proposals of NMDC, of which the Centre allowed mining at Panna over 741.018 ha, said release.
According to the release, the terms and conditions prescribed in the above proposal inter-alia include afforestation of 217.482 ha of forest land at the cost of user agency, penal Compensatory Afforestation, payment of Net Present Value, etc.
The other proposal was closed for want of essential details, release said.
It may be mentioned that for mining of diamonds and other items falling under the jurisdiction of forest land, approval of the central government is required for diversion of forest land for non forestry purpose under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
