New Delhi: The centre on Friday admitted that illegal coal mining is continuing in forest areas of Assam’s Digboi division. Babul Supriyo, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change replying to a question by Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi, made this statement in the Parliament.
According to Supriyo, illegal mining is going on in six forest areas of Digboi Division. The minister confirmed illegal mining in six reserve forests of Digboi but admitted having data of three reserve forests only. Namphai Reserve Forest, Tinkapani Reserve Forest, Tipong Reserve Forest, Tirap Reserve Forest, Lekhpani Reserve Forest and Saleki Proposed Reserve Forest are the areas where certain elements are involved in mining of coal. The areas where the mining was going on are backward and remote areas.
Illegal mining is taking place in an area of 130 hectares, where 40.47 hectares area is in Tirap, 70.20 hectares in Tipang reserve forest (proposed) and another 17.70 hectares in Tipang reserve forest said the minister.
Babul Supriyo stated that no forest department officials are involved in the illegal coal mining. He also added that the Rat Holes through which the mining was being carried were filled up and seedlings have been planted.
The state forest department keeps conducting field inspection from time to time targeting illegal coal mining and the reports are being submitted to the concerned authorities.
If anyone is indulged in illegal coal mining, armed personnel of the Assam Forest Protection Force deal with the matter. The agency has been seizing coal, machines and vehicles involved in the illegal mining and transportation of coal in Assam, said Supriyo.
