Supreme Court seeks response from Centre, States in plea seeking de-allocation of coal blocks in densely forested areas categorized as "NOGO"

The Supreme Court on Monday sought the response of the Central government and all States on a petition filed against mining in dense forests and ecologically sensitive areas of the country..However, the bench of Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian which heard the matter, stated that the case would have to posted before a bench looking into the mining cases and not be tagged with the Jharkhand government's plea in Supreme Court against Centre's coal block auction scheme. .The petition by advocate Sudiep Shrivastava and filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan has stated that despite there being sufficient information and reports available which classify less forested or non-ecologically sensitive areas as probable mining areas, the Union government is allowing mining in every area where mineral deposits exist. The petitioner has given detailed examples of GO NOGO Study of Coal Blocks and Management Plan of Saranda Iron Ore Zone to buttress his case. .The petitioner has also sought framing of guidelines for dealing with forest clearance proposals to avoid clearance for mining in dense-forested areas unless all the other available deposits of the said mineral is exhausted..The plea contends that many of the coal and other minerals lie beneath the dense forests which are catchment of Central Indian rivers and thus mining there would impact water security adversely..It has further stated that Coal Mines Nationalisation Act 1973 as amended has the objective of "scientific, coordinated and integrated" mining laid down in the Act. "The allotment of Coal Blocks in densely forested virgin areas is also against the same and defeats the purpose of the Act itself," says the plea. .The petitioner has, therefore, sought de-allocation of all coal blocks situated in the Densely forested areas which were categorized as NoGo in 2010 study beside seeking a direction from Supreme Court for proper inventory of coal and all other major mineral deposits on the basis of their environmental value. .The petitioner has also prayed for a direction to be issued by which no mineral blocks should be allotted or auctioned without prior forest and environment clearance..Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, argued on Monday that this "was a very important question," and that response of the government should be sought. The court acceded to the request and issued notice to all States and Centre.