‘No mining in Tiger reserve’

In a major boost to the efforts of conservationists opposing mining near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district, union minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh has said mining will not be allowed near the reserve.

Meanwhile, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has rejected primary application of mining in Lohara forests. Rajesh Gopal, NTCA member secretary, said, “Allowing coal mining in such proximity of tiger reserve is simply out of question.”
Ramesh gave the assurance to state forest department officials during a two-day meeting of field directors of all the 37 tiger reserves in the country held at Sariska in Rajasthan on July 25 and 26.

AK Joshi, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Nandkishore, chief conservator of forests for Nagpur circle and field directors AK Mishra (Melghat) and Mohan Jha (Pench) also attended the meet.

Issues such as man-animal conflict, buffer zone and expediting funds availability were raised in the meeting. The breeding of tigers outside TATR was also highlighted during the presentation. The officials also informed the minister there were breeding tigresses even outside Tadoba in the buffer zone and mining activity in the area would prove detrimental to the animals.

Joshi confirmed that the minister was against mining around TATR. “He made it clear that any activity that will affect wildlife and forest will not at all be allowed,” Joshi said.
Rajesh Gopal, member-secretary, NTCA, said, “Officials form Maharashtra forest department raised the issue of mining around Tadoba during the meet. As far as NTCA is concerned, coal mines will not be allowed near TATR.”

In fact, NTCA has already rejected a primary application that came to it for comment. “I have clearly mentioned that coal mine cannot be allowed in Lohara forests due to its proximity with TATR,” Gopal said.