SAIL's mining division steps up focus on environment

It conducted a workshop focused on environmental and forest issues, National Mineral Policy, different aspects of statutory clearances

Realising the need to balance development of mining with environment protection, the raw materials division of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) organised a one-day workshop in Kolkata last Saturday.

The workshop titled 'Coexistence of mining industry & forest — Challenges and way forward', primarily focused on environmental and forest issues, National Mineral Policy, different aspects of statutory clearances, a critical balance between environment and mining, wildlife management, land reclamation and other environmental aspects.

Apart from SAIL, companies like Coal India Ltd (CIL), National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco), Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), and Hindustan Copper Ltd participated in the workshop.

Siddhanta Das, Director General of Forests & special secretary, Union ministry of environment & forests & climate change said, unplanned and rapid deforestation is leading to a dreadful future and impacting the climatic change heavily.

Kalyan Maity, director (raw materials & logistics), SAIL stressed on the need to develop an ambience for resolving various issues relating to environment and forest clearances.