Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar told Lok Sabha in a written reply that his ministry has observed violations by mining companies in respect of enhancement of production without prior environmental clearance and not obtaining environmental clearance during renewal state of mining lease.
"During the year 2013-14 and 2014-15 (upto June 30), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued directions to various state governments for filing complaints under Section 15/19 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 in competent courts of law in case of 238 mining projects for violation of provisions of Environment (Protection) Act 1986," Javadekar said.
He said his ministry has issued a notification for promoting utilisation of fly ash in 1999 as amended which prescribes restriction of excavation of top soil for manufacture of bricks, promotion of utilisation of fly ash in manufacture of building materials and in construction activity, prohibition of reclamation and compaction of low lying areas with soil within a radius of one hundred kilometres from coal or lignite based thermal power plants.
He said the Bill proposes to enhance penalties in respect of certain offences including those related to hunting. It also proposes to prohibit manufacture, sell, purchase keeping or transport any animal trap except with prior permission of Chief Wildlife Warden.
The minister said the Bill also proposes to enhance penalty for offences related to animals specified in Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II and proposes to enhance penalty for offences related to hunting in Sanctuary or National Park amongst others.