Average forest clearance takes 24-30 months for PSUs, 34 for commercial coal blocks

The Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel examined the process for obtaining Environmental and Forest Clearances for coal mining projects to identify bottlenecks and recommend simplifications. This matters to citizens as delays in these clearances impact coal production, energy security, and environmental management.

Ministry of Coal, State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), commercial coal block holders, and local communities involved in Gram Sabha approvals.

• The Committee noted that only 12 Environmental Clearances (ECs) have been granted for projects below 500 hectares since 2022.
• The Committee recommended improving coordination between approving authorities to reduce the time disparity between public and private sectors, noting average EC times of 15-18 months for PSUs versus 26 months for commercial blocks.
• The Committee recommended bringing separate permissions (from Directorate General of Mines Safety, Central Ground Water Authority, and Water Resources Department) under the Single Window Clearance (SWC) framework.
• The Committee recommended states create pre-identified land banks of degraded forest and non-forest land for Compensatory Afforestation (CA), noting CA costs vary from Rs 9 lakh to Rs 22 lakh per hectare across states.
• The Committee recommended states publish digitised land maps distinguishing recorded forest, deemed forest, non-forest land, and deemed community forests to expedite clearances.
• The Committee recommended developing a standardised protocol for Gram Sabha resolution and verification, and allowing hybrid modes of public hearings to reduce delays.
• The Committee recommended policy simplification and standardisation of mining practices to promote underground coal mining.

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