Click to play videoNew Delhi: An officer of the Indian Forest Service in Madhya Pradesh has been clearing mining projects flouting green laws, according to documents accessed by CNN-IBN. The regional office of the Environment Ministry in Bhopal is headed by AK Rana and it is his responsibility to recommend mining proposals on forest land but only if no other alternative is available.
But CNN-IBN has found that the officer has cleared several small mining projects in gross violation of conditions laid down by the Centre.
The projects that AK Rana has been clearing include a proposal for diversion of 20 hectares forest land for mining in favour of Pacific Export, Katni despite the fact that the site inspection report of DCF was not enclosed and secondly, no justification was given for mining in a forest area when the mineral is already available in a non-forest area.
Rana approved another proposal for open cast mining of 4.9 hectares in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh by Khajuraho Minerals despite the fact that certificate from collector states the mineral is available in non-forest area.
Rana recommends an Iron ore mining proposal in Chhatarpur district by Jindatt Minerals. He stated that it may not lead to fragmentation of new forest areas and the proposal can be considered, despite the fact that the density of forest is 0.3 to 0.5 i.e., it is a high density forest.
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