Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
(i) Mining including underground mining is a non-forestry activity. Therefore, prior approval of the Central Government is essential before a mining lease is granted in respect of any forest area. The Act could apply not only to the surface area which is used in the mining but also to the entire underground mining area beneath the forest. A renewal of an existing mining lease in a forest area also requires the prior approval of the Central Government. Continuation or resumption of mining operation on the expiry of a mining lease without prior approval would amount to contravention of the Act. (ii) The advice of the Ministry of Law, Government of India in regard to the Supreme Court Order in Civil Appeal No. 2349 of 1984 dated 7-5-1985 is at Annexure - III. (iii) Boulders, bajri, stone, etc., in the riverbeds located within forest areas would constitute a part of the forest land and their removal would require prior approval of the Central Government.