AGENDA ITEM NO. 3 Diversion of 202.35 ha (including 7.68 ha area earmarked for safety zone) of Reserved forest land in favour of Arcelor Mittal Limited for mining of Iron Ore and Manganese in Division of in the State of (8-49/2013-FC). 1. The State Government of Jharkhand, vide their letter no. No. 3/Van Bhumi- 63/2010/2285/V.P. dated 24.05.2013 submitted the above proposal seeking prior approval of the Central Government under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. 2. Arcelor Mittal India Limited (AMIL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Arcelor Mittal, has proposed to set up an integrated steel plant of 12 MTPA capacity, in Jharkhand. AMIL has entered into a MOU with Government of Jharkhand on 8 th Oct 2005 to set up a 12 MTPA Green field Steel Plant in two Phases of 6 MTPA each and each phase in turn will comprise of two stages of 3 MTPA each. Location of the proposed steel plant is selected at Torpa Block in and Kamdara Block in of Jharkhand State. The annual requirement of Iron Ore for the Jharkhand Plant would be 20MTPA i.e. @5 MTPA for each stage. 3. Requirement of iron ore for the steel plant is planned to be met from this proposed captive mine @ 5 MTPA for the first stage of Phase-I and other captive sources to be allocated by Government of Jharkhand, in accordance with MoU for others stages. 4. The proposed mine is located near the mines of SAIL. The area is covered under the Karampada Reserve forest and lies between Latitude 22 o 06’29” N to 22 o 07’39” N and longitude 85 o 17’30” E to 85 o 18’42” E). The ML area is at a distance of around 27 kms from railway siding and 30 kms east from the Barbil town. 5. The total area for Mining Lease is 202.350 ha and the entire area is forest land. 6. The geological reserves of Iron & Manganese ore deposit is 29.925 million ton out of which 26.621 million ton is mineable reserve of +55% Fe grade. Application has been submitted for Environmental Clearance and T.O.R. has been obtained. 7. Facts related to the proposal as contained in the State Government’s letter dated 24.05.2013 are given below in the form of factsheet:

FACT SHEET

1. Name of the Proposal Diversion of 202.35 ha of Reserved forest land in favour of Arcelor Mittal India Limited for mining of Iron Ore and Manganese in Saranda Forest Division of West Singhbhum District in the State of Jharkhand. 2. Location (iii) State Jharkhand (iv) District West Singhbhum

3. Particulars of Forests: (i) Name of Forest Division Saranda Forest Division and 202.35 ha Forest area involved. Reser ve Forests notified as core area of Singhbhum (ii) Legal status/Sy.No. Elephant Reserve.

(iii) Map SOI toposheet - Pg-183/c. DGPS map – Not enclosed. However Regional Office in their SIR has submitted the same. 10 Km radius map – Enclosed. Reclamation Plan – Enclsoed. Safety Zone– Enclosed.

4. Topography of the area -

5. (iii) Geology - (iv) Vulnerability to erosion The proposed diversion area is has moderate to steep slopes. Approximately 60% of the area is covered with dense tree as well as ground vegetation and rest area is either devoid of trees or having open forest. The canopy if opened is prone to soil erosion. Thus, it is very obligatory to take up soil conservation works on large scale. To check the soil erosion check dam and garland drains etc. in the around the proposed area are needed to be ensured.

6. (i) Vegetation Ahasin, llu, Amla, Asandu, Atna, Bahera, bandhu, Bargad, baschandva, Belgiri, Ber, Bilkundru, Bindaru, Birkaronj, Bitabarun, Bundur, Buru Kundri, Champa, char, Chatni, Doka, Drytree, Dumar, Durbili, Edal, Gandagaruda, Garisinduri, Gulmohar, hari, Hel, helada, Hesal, Jamun, Kandaur, Karanj, Kendu, Kudumba, Kusum, kuti, Labha, Lupung, Mango, Neem, Omay, Palandu, Pija, Pipal, Rai, Rola, Sahgalsingh, Sakmada, Sal, Semal, Seyadi, Sinduri, Sisam, Sonari, Taparjo, Toa, Veerturang etc.

(ii) Density Less than 0.4 in approximately 80.0 ha of proposed area and on an average of 0.5 in the remaining 122.35 ha area.

(iii) No. of trees to be felled As per the abstract of affected trees given in the proposal following details is furnished: Total - 744 Trees Below 60 girth = 267 Trees Above 60 girth = 477 Trees

However, the Regional Office, in its SIR has indicated that total number of affected trees is 7169 Comprising of 2573 trees below 60 cm girth and 4596 trees above 60 cm girth.

7. Whether area is significant from No wildlife point of view 8. Whether forms part of National The entire forest of Saranda Forest Division park, Wildlife Sanctuary, including the proposed mining lease area has been Biosphere Reserve, Tiger notified as core area of Singhbhum Elephant Reserve, Elephant Corridor, etc. Reserve vide notification No. 72/2000 P.E. dt. (if so, details of the area and 24.3.2001 of Govt. India. The Saranda forest is one comments of the Chief Wildlife of the finest habitats for elephants. The forest is Warden mainly of Moist Peninsular Sal type wherein sal forms approximately about 40% of the species diversity. The elephant reserve is spread over three districts of the south eastern part of Jharkhand. The elephant reserve is in continuity with the forests of adjoining stages of and West Bengal. The User Agency undertakes to implement measures to check damage to wildlife in the area. A scheme for protection of wildlife and forest to mitigate the ill effects due to mining is being submitted with proposal for approval. 9. Whether any RET species of Giant squirrel, Reptiles, Sloth beer, barking deer, flora and fauna are found in the Indian elephant, etc. have been reported in the area. area. If so details thereof 10. Approximate distance of the Zero. The proposed applied area falls within proposed site for diversion from Karampada Forest Compartment No. KP 33 (p) boundary of forest. KP-34(P) and KP 35(P). 11. Whether any protected There is no protected archaeological/heritage archaeological/ heritage site/defense establishment in the proposed area. site/defence establishment or any other important monuments is located in the area. 12. Whether any work of in No violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 has been carried out (Yes/No). If yes details of the same including period of work done, action taken on erring officials. Whether work in violation is still in progress. 13. Whether the requirement of The District Mining Officer vide his letter No. forest land as proposed by the 1081/M dt. 10.06.2008 has communicated that the user agency in col. 2 of Part-I is Mining lease has been conditionally granted to the unavoidable and barest user agency over 500 acre area for a period of 30 minimum for the project, if no years subject of forest & environment clearance. recommended area item-wise The Assistant Mining Officer vide his letter No. with details of alternatives 993/M dt. 23.07.2009 has issued the certificate that examined. the proposed 500 acres area is mineralized zone having deposit of Iron and Manganese Ore and the same mineral is not available in surrounding/nearby non forest areas. Thus, the proposed area is unavoidable and also, is barest minimum. 14. Whether clearance under the Yes, Application for Environmental Clearance has Environment (protection) Act, been submitted to MoEF and TOR has been 1986 is required? obtained. EIA/EMP report is under preparation by M/s. Bhagavathi Ana labs. Ltd, Hyderabad. 15. Compensatory Afforestation CA has been proposed over equivalent non-forest land. (i) Details of non-forest User Agency has submitted un undertaking that the area/degraded forest area land procurement process is underway and would identified for CA, its distance provide the details of compensatory affoerestation from adjoining forest, number land details as expeditiously as possible. The of patches, sixe of each compensatory land shall be mandatory before patches. according Stage-II to the user agency. After the stage-I clearance being accorded to the user agency the compensatory afforestation scheme shall be prepared by the concerned DFO and accordingly the user agency shall be asked to bear the cost of compensatory afforestation. Regional Office, in its site inspection report has reported that so far 500 ha land has been identified and nearly 270 acres of land has been acquired by the project proponent for the CA. (ii) Map showing non- - forest/degraded forest area identified for CA and adjoining forest boundaries. (iii) Detailed CA scheme - including species to be planted, implementing agency, time schedule, cost structure, etc. (iv) Total financial outlay for - CA (v) Certificate from the - competent authority regarding suitability of the area identified for CA and from management point of view. 16. Catchment Area Treatment NA 17. Reh abilitation of Oustees a) No of families involved Nil b) Category of families c) Details of rehabilitation plan

18. Settlement of rights under the Not submitted in the original proposal. However, Scheduled Tribe and Other Regional Office, in its site inspection report has Traditional Forest Dwellers indicated that certificate from the District (Recognition of Forest Rights) Collector, Chaibassa has been submitted. However, Act, 2006 other documentary evidences such as copies of Gram Sabha resolutions have not been submitted.

19. Cost Benefit Ratio Pg -101/c 1996575.00/43218.68= 1:46.19 20. Employment potential 345 persons can be employed directly & 1380 persons will be indirectly employed.

21. Total Cost of the Project Rs. 200 Crores 22. Recommendation i. DFO Yes ii. CCF Yes iii. Nodal Officer Yes iv SG Yes 23. District Profile (i) Total Geographical area of the 9907 Sq. Km. As per FSI district

(ii) Total Forest area/Divisional 3727 Sq. Km. As per FSI Forest area

(iii) Total area diverted 1757.6928 ha (Total No. of cases 19) since 1980

(iv) Total CA stipulated since 1980 (Forest land) c) Forest land including 248.09 ha penal CA d) Non forest land 658.972 ha

(v) Progress of CA c) Forest land d) Non forest land

8. The iron ore transportation is proposed through roads from pit head/crushing unit to loading complex at foot hills from where it will be loaded in to wagons and dispatched to the plant site. 9. The best efforts have been made to keep the use of forest area to the minimum and thus only site specific and technically essential activities have been envisaged in RF area. After cession of mining operations the area will be reverted back to the Government. The mined out area will be backfilled and reasons for locating the project. 10. The project proponent has submitted undertaking to bear the cost of CA and NPV. 11. Mining Plan approved by the IBHM has been submitted.

SITE INSPECTION REPORT BY REGIONAL OFFICE, BHUBANESWAR

1. Legal status of the forest land proposed for diversion: As reported by DFO, Saranda Division, , the entire lease area proposed for diversion is Reserve Forest.

2. Item-wise break-up details of the forest land proposed for diversion. As reported by the PCCF-cum-Executive Director, Wasteland Development Board, Jharkhand, Ranchi, the proposed break-up of the total land (in ha) is as follows:

Sl. Item-wise breakup of the Within Outside Non- Total No. proposed forest land lease area lease area forest area land 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Mining Area Phase -I (1 st yr 59.38 - - 59.38 (Excavation) to 6 th Yr) Phase -II (7 th 60.76 - - 60.76 Yr to 9 th Yr) Phase -III (10 th 51.20 - - 51.20 Yr to 12 th Yr) 2 Waste Dump 3.42 - - 3.42 3 Sub-Grade Ore Stock Yard 3.71 - - 3.71 4 Top Soil Stock Yard 2.30 - - 2.30 5 Crusher Plant 6.50 - - 6.50 6 Work shop & Office building 2.90 - - 2.90 7 Roads (Existing 2.50 km + 4.21 - - 4.21 Proposed 1.75 Km) 8 Garland Drains around Dump 0.16 - - 0.16 & Stock Yard 9 Parapet Walls 0.13 - - 0.13 10 Green belt Development 7.68 - - 7.68 including 7.5m (Safety Zone) Total 202.35 - - 202.35

3. Whether proposal involves any construction of buildings (including residential) or not. If yes, details thereof: As stated in Point No. 2.

4. Total cost of the project at present rates: As reported by the User agency in the proposal, the estimated cost of the project is Rs.200 Crores.

5. Wildlife : It was reported by the DFO, Saranda Division, Chaibasa that Giant squirrel, Reptiles, Sloth beer, barking deer, Indian elephant etc. have been reported in the area.

Whether forest area proposed for diversion is important from wildlife point of view or not:

It was also reported by the DFO, Saranda Division, Chaibasa, the entire forest of Saranda Forest Division including the proposed mining lease area has been notified as core area of Singhbhum Elephant Reserve vide notification no. 72/2000P.E, dated 24.03.2001 of Govt. of India. The Saranda Forest is one of the finest habitats for elephants. The forest is mainly of Moist Peninsular Sal type wherein Sal forms approximately about 40% of the species diversity. The elephant reserve is spread over three districts of the south eastern part of Jharkhand. The elephant reserve is in continuity with the forests of adjoining states of Odisha and West Bengal. The User agency undertakes to implement measures to check damage to wildlife in the area. A scheme for protection of wildlife & forest to mitigate the ill effects due to mining has been prepared by the DFO, Saranda Forest Division, Chaibasa (Annexure-VI ).

6. Vegetation: The density of vegetation in most of the lease area is about 0.3 to 0.4, mostly covered by shrubs. The remaining dense area of the lease has a vegetation density about 0.4. It was reported by the DFO, Saranda that the major forest type found in the area is Moist peninsular Sal forest. Sal (Shorea robusta) is formed almost 40% of species diversity and thus is the predominant species. Apart from Sal, other species found in the area included Chahar, Mango, Kendu, Champa, Bandhu, Asan, Banian tree etc. It was also stated that approximately 40% of the proposed area is either blank or has tree cover less than 0.4.

(a) Total number of trees to be felled. As reported by the User agency, a total of 7169 no. of trees is to be felled for the project.

Effect of removal of trees on the general ecosystem in the area: As there is a large number of trees to be felled, it will naturally adversely affect the ecosystem.

(b Important species: As reported by the User agency, species found in the area are Sal, Kusum, Bahera, Bargad, Redi, Ahasin, gulmohar, Mango, Neem, Allu, Bandhu, bundur,Buru Kundri, Champa, Chatni, Drytree, Dubili, Dumar, Edal, Garisinduri, Hari, Jamun, kanadaur, Karange, kudumba, Labha, Misee, Palandu, pipal, Rai, Sinduri, Sonari, Taparjo, Veerturang, Raula, Seyadi, Helada, Gandagaruna, Doka, Belgiri, Ber, Bitabarun, Gendagarun, Sahgalsingh, Sakmada, Seyadi, Birkaronji, kudumba, Sisam etc.

Number of trees of girth below 60 cm. As reported by the User agency, the number of trees of girth below 60 cm is 2573. Number of trees of girth above 60 cm As reported by the User agency, the number of trees of girth above 60 cm is 4596.

7. Background note on the proposal: As reported by the User agency, Arcelor Mittal India Limited (AMIL), a hundred percent subsidiary of Arcelor Mittal, has proposed to set up an integrated steel plant of 12 MTPA capacity in Jharkhand. AMIL has entered into an MOU with Govt. of Jharkhand on 8 th October, 2005 to set up a 12 MTPA Green field steel plant in two phases of 3 MTPA each. Location of the proposed steel plant is selected at Torpa Block in Khunti district and Kamdara Block in Gumla district of Jharkhand State. The annual requirement of Iron ore for the Jharkhand Plant would be 20 MTPA i.e. @ 5 MTPA for each stage. Requirement of iron ore for the steel plant is planned to be met from this proposed captive mine @ 5 MTPA for the first stage of Phase-I and other captive sources to be allocated by Govt. of Jharkhand, in accordance with MoU for other stages. The proposed mine is located near Kiriburu mines of SAIL. The area is covered under Survey of India Topo sheet No. 73-F/8. The entire area is within the Karampada Reserve forest. The lease area is approachable from Barajamda-Kiriburu state highway. The ML area is at a distance of around 27 Kms from Barajamda railway siding and 30 Kms east from the Barbil town. The total area for Mining lease is 202.350 ha and the entire area is forest land. The Geological reserves of Meghahatuburu Iron & Manganese ore deposit is 29.925 million ton out of which 26.621 million ton is mineable reserve of +55 Fe grade. The site for locating the project at Karampada Reserved Forest is a site specific project as the minerals occur within the forest.

8. Compensatory afforestation : As reported by the DFO, Saranda Division, Chaibasa, the User agency has submitted an undertaking that the land procurement process is underway and would provide the details of compensatory afforestation land details as expeditiously as possible (Annexure-III) . It was reported by the User agency that 500 acres of suitable land has been identified and agreement done for purchase. Plot-wise details have been submitted to Forest Department, Govt. of Jharkhand. Out of the above, 270 acre land (duly certified by concerned DFOs regarding suitability) has already been purchased and registered in the name of the Company.

Sl.No. District Circle/Anchal Village Area (acre) 1 Palamu Chainpur Kilhar 48.41 2 Garhwa Chinia Khuri 39.51 3 Palamu Chainpur Kilhar 45.76

4 Palamu Chattarpur Ghujuwa 32.00

5 Palamu Chattarpur Ghujuwa 36.04

6 Palamu Chattarpur Ghujuwa 34.79 7 Palamu Chattarpur Ghujuwa 34.16

As stated by the User agency, the procurement of balance 230 acres is under progress. As stated by the Nodal Officer, the C.A. scheme will be prepared after stage-I clearance (Enclosed as Annexure-XI ).

(a) Whether land for compensatory afforestation is suitable from plantation and management point of view or not: Land suitability certificates from DFOs of Ramgarh, Chatra (North), Garhwa (South), Latehar have been submitted (Annexure-III-A, III-B, III-C).

(b) Whether land for compensatory afforestation is free from encroachment/other encumbrances: Certificates in respect of 270.40 acres identified have been submitted (Annexure-III-A, III-B, III-C).

Whether land for compensatory afforestation is important from (c) Religious/Archaeological point of view: Not reported.

(d) Land identified for raising compensatory afforestation is in how many patches, whether patches are compact or not: As reported by the User agency, 270 acres of land has already been purchased and registered in the name of company. Total 270 acres of land is in four patches and duly certified by DFOs and concerned govt. department .

(e) Map with details: Enclosed as Annexure-VIII.

(f) Total financial outlay: Not submitted.

9. Whether proposal involves violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 or not. If yes, a detailed report on violation including action taken against the concerned officials: As reported by the DFO, Saranda Division, Chaibasa, there is no violation of FC Act.

10. Whether proposal involves rehabilitation of displaced persons. If yes, whether rehabilitation plan has been prepared by the State Government or not : As stated by the user agency, the area is devoid of any human settlements and therefore will not involve any displacement and consequently no rehabilitation is required.

11. Reclamation plan: The User agency has submitted stage-wise Reclamation Plan (Annexure-IX) .

Details and financial allocation: Enclosed as Annexure-IX(A) .

12. Details on catchment and command area under the project: Not applicable.

Catchment area treatment plan to prevent siltation of reservoir: Not applicable.

13. Cost benefit ratio:

As reported by the User agency, the cost benefit ratio is 1 : 41.93.

14. Recommendations of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests/State Government: Recommended by the State Government. However, The PCCF, Jharkhand while giving his opinion/remarks (Part-IV of D.P), has stated that “the forests of Saranda are an important habitat of wild elephants and a number of elephant corridors located in this area link this habitat to the adjoining forests of Jharkhand and Orissa. Any increase in mining operations in this area is likely to have an adverse impact on elephants and other wild animals. This will require integrated and extensive mitigation measures. The area applied for is located in Karampada Reserve Forest of Saranda Forest Division. In view of the guidelines issued by the Govt. of India, MoEF in case of Reserve forests, diversion of forest land in reserve forest for new mining leases had not been recommended in the past. However, diversion of Reserve Forest land for new mining leases has been allowed by the Govt. of India, MoEF in other states. In view of the above mentioned facts and the information furnished in the forwarding letter, the decision on permission to divert forest land in this area, would best be left to the Govt. of India”.

15. Recommendations of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Central) along with detailed reasons: Appended separately.

16. Conservator of Forests (Central) shall give detailed comments on whether there are any alternative routes/alignment for locating the project on the non-forest land: The mining project is site specific; hence alternative alignment is not possible.

17. Utility of the project: As reported by the User agency, the project will contribute to economic growth. It will also help to improve the socio - economic conditions of the largely tribal population in the region. The investments made under the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives will benefit the people in providing better living to the people with access to healthcare, education, training and employment for future generations. Improvement of socio - economic indicators like access to medical and health facilities, drinking water and sanitation, education and training, sports facilities will improve the living conditions of the local people who have been a deprived and impoverished lot. The project will generate direct and indirect employment opportunities. This will create an alternative to their current source of livelihood which is mainly dependent on the forests in the area.

Numbers of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes to be benefited by the project: As reported by the User agency, no. of SC population to be benefitted is 2895 and no. of ST population to be benefitted is 12983. 18. (a) Whether land being diverted has any socio-cultural/ religious value: Not reported.

(b) Whether any sacred grove or very old growth trees/forests exist in the areas proposed for diversion: Not reported.

(c) Whether the land under diversion forms part of any unique eco-system: The entire land under diversion is coming under Singhbhum Elephant Reserve. The User agency has submitted a copy of the letter of PCCF, Jharkhand, which states that the Compartment nos. 33 (part), 34 (part) & 35 (part) which refer to the project site are not included in the proposal of inviolate areas (Annexure-X).

19. Situation with respect to any Protected Area: As stated by PCCF, WL and Biodiversity conservation, Jharkhand, Ranchi that there is no National Park or Wildlife sanctuary within 10 km radius of the mining lease area (Annexure-VI(A)) . The nearest protected area is Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary which is at a distance of about 50 km from the project site.

20. Any other information relating to the project: 1. a) The User agency has fixed only the pillars at the corners of the lease boundary. They have been instructed to fix intermediate pillars also and demarcate them by providing latitude and longitude details and distance between the adjacent pillars. The User agency has, however, assured to complete the same before the stage-II approval. An undertaking in this regard submitted by the User agency is enclosed as Annexure-VII. b) The lease is adjacent to Bolani iron mines and Meghahatuburu iron ore mines of M/s. SAIL. c) There are some old buildings of Forest department including Ranger’s office and of Railway department which will be used by the user agency, as stated by them. d) No habitation was seen inside the lease boundary except a few illegal settlements which have been assured to be dismantled by the User agency. e) As stated by the User agency, the mining operation will be done in three phases starting from the area which is having the least vegetation density. f) Transportation will be carried out by the trucks in the initial years till a railway siding is developed. The User agency has informed that after getting the clearances they will go for prospecting in details.

i. FRA Certificate issued by D.C., West Singhbhum, Chaibasa has been submitted (Annexure- IV ). ii. Topo-sheet & DGPS map are enclosed as Annexures - I, I(A) & II . iii. Mining Plan approved by IBM is enclosed as Annexure-V.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADDL. PCCF (CENTRAL)

The instant proposal is for diversion of 202.35 ha of Reserved Forest land in favour of M/s Arcelor Mittal India Limited for mining of Iron & Manganese in Saranda Forest Division of West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand. On perusal of the records and the site inspection report of the Conservator of Forests (Central), the following observations are made: 1. Fragmentation of Forest connectivity: The Saranda Forest is endowed with pristine biodiversity having rich flora and fauna. Barring a few forest diversion, most of the Saranda forest is undisturbed yet. However, several mining proposals are in the pipeline to be operational in Saranda in the near future. Considering the rich biodiversity of the area and the pristine habitat of elephant which is also vital with reference to its strategic importance serving the interstate elephant migratory connectivity to the adjoining forests of Orissa, West Bengal and Chattisgarh, the future fragmentation of the habitat shall be the most crucial issue. It may be appropriate to conduct a interstate level study of the said forest region with the involvement of National Institutes like Wildlife Institute of India and ICFRE, Dehradun to assess the impact of the upcoming non-forestry activities in the region in general and Saranda forest in particular.

2. Greening of non mineralized zone along with transplanting: It is observed that 7169 number of trees are affected out of which over 30% of the trees proposed to be affected are of young age group. Trees below 30 cm can be saved from felling by transplanting as per the feasibility within the lease area, especially greening the non mineralized zone, safety zone, etc. 3. Transport system: The normal mode of transport from the mine should be through closed conveyor system up to the railway siding when it starts and from there by train so that there is little disturbance on the road. However, for the first 3 years of production up to 1.6 million ton of ore required for producing 1 million ton of steel may be allowed to meet interim requirement during feasibility study, permission required for approval under EC & FC and erection of closed conveyor extension of railway line and railway siding etc. Thus the ancillary problems like congestion, dust pollution, inconvenience to local population, etc. will be minimized. However, the trucks which may be used within the mines should be covered with tarpaulin.

4. Reclamation: It is impossible to replenish the minerals once mined out, however; the user agency should reclaim the derelict land by establishing self-sustaining vegetation cover with pre- determined end use. A successful biological reclamation restores the natural capital of flora and fauna and productivity of land, which have been previously destroyed through mining. So the user agency should prepare a long term plan so that after the end of mining lease, the land so reclaimed can turn into a beautiful landscape or an ecotourism spot which will be important from aesthetic point of view. 5. CSR activities : The user agency should implement a corporate plan for the overall development of the people in the vicinity like providing quality technical education, creating employment opportunities & health care facilities. Sanitation aspect, literacy drive, etc. should also be taken care of by them. The user agency should provide training programme for the mining engineering students in the nearby areas and also engage them in research work so that the students will be benefited. The user agency should also support the economically backward students in their education in terms of providing study materials and stipends. The user agency should develop an integrated system of health and education including the promotion of traditional healing system, within 5 km periphery of the mining lease, in collaboration with other project proponents.

6. The CSR activities undertaken by the user agency for the development of people should be uploaded in the website of the company in details. 7. Top soil management and vermi-compost: The top soil should be preserved in active form so as to use for the greenery of the area as early as possible. They should incorporate vermi- composting/composting in their greening plan, so that sufficient nutrients are available to the seedlings during plantation. 8. Water conservation: Water is a precious resource, so the user agency should take appropriate measures for creation of ponds, water conservation/harvesting structures, so that more water can be stored around, which will recharge the ground water.

9. Biodiversity survey: The user agency should arrange for a quick biodiversity survey with the help of leading universities/academic institutions. The copy of design parameters, field data and analyzed report may be given to the ERO for information. Appropriate action based on findings may be taken by the user agency to conserve the gene pool, sending yearly report to the Regional Office.

10. Environmental awareness programme : The user agency should arrange environmental awareness programme to create awareness among the employees as well as nearby people regarding better environmental management and its safeguards. There should be programs, weeks for the forests and wildlife, to be celebrated by the miners and other stakeholders, the wildlife lovers. Officials involved in the process should participate in such functions, and the idea of protection of precious natural resources like forest, wildlife, etc. should leave an indelible impact in the minds of the people so that people voluntarily and enthusiastically work for the protection and enrichment of the forests and wildlife of the region. With the above observations along with site inspection report of CF (Central), this proposal for the diversion of 202.35 ha of Reserved Forest land in favour of M/s Arcelor Mittal India Limited for mining of Iron ore & Manganese in Saranda Forest Division of West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand is forwarded with recommendation for consideration. In view of the above, if approved, the proposal may be placed before the FAC in its forthcoming meeting.

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