Summary record of the 20thMeeting of

state level ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY, Chhattisgarh

The 20thmeeting of State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Chhattisgarh was held on 31/12/2011 at 3:00 P.M.at Member Secretary’s meeting room, State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Chhattisgarh Secretariat, Raipur. Shri N.S. Bhadauria, Chairman, SEIAA, Chhattisgarh chaired the meeting. The following members of SEIAA were present in the meeting: -

  1. Dr. M.L. Naik, Member, SEIAA
  2. Shri P.V. Narsinga Rao, Member Secretary, SEIAA

At the outset, the Member Secretary, SEIAA, Chhattisgarh welcomed the Chairman and member of Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Chhattisgarh.19thmeeting of SEIAA, Chhattisgarh was held on 05/11/2011. The minutes of the meeting has already been approved / signed by the Chairman and all the Members of the SEIAA, Chhattisgarh. Hence, the minutes of the 19thmeeting of SEIAA, Chhattisgarh is deemed to be approved.

Agenda wise discussions were carried out as follows: -

Agenda Item No. 1: -Discussion on the proposals submitted for consideration

(1)M/s Murarilal Kedarmal Dolomite Mine (Hardi Dolomite Mine), Village – Hardi, Tehsil – Bilha, District – Bilaspur (C.G.)

The Project proponent submitted application (Form-I and Mining Scheme) for prescribing Terms of Reference (TOR) for preparation of draft EIA report / Environment Clearance on 30/06/09 for mining of Dolomite mine of capacity 14950 tonnes per year at Khasra No. 41/1, Village – Hardi, Tehsil – Bilha, District – Bilaspur (C.G.). Lease area is 6.056 ha. Lease period is 25/04/1998 to 24/04/2018 for period of 20 years.Mining Scheme has been approved by Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur vide letter no. BLS/DOL/MPLN/488/NGP dated 19/09/2008. Cost of the Project is Rs. 19.0 lakhs.

The proposal was discussed in 39th, 42nd, 49th, 52nd,63rd, 66thand 75thmeeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh held on 22/08/2009, 23/09/2009, 18/01/2010,30/03/2010, 09/09/2010, 27/10/2010, 31/10/2011 respectively. Committee considered the project as ‘B’ category and recommended for grant of environmental clearancefor dolomite mining14950 tonnes per yearin its 75thmeeting held on 31/10/2011.

SEIAA, Chhattisgarh perused the proposal/information/documents submitted by the project proponent in its 20th meeting held on 31/12/2011. After deliberation, the SEIAA, Chhattisgarh unanimously decided to askfrom SEAC, Chhattisgarh whether the proposal has been considered as category ‘B1’ or “B2’ and whether project proponent has completed the presentation? If so, inform the date of presentation.It has also been decided to seek the opinion of the SEAC, Chhattisgarh on legal action for violation as mine has been operated without prior environmental clearance since 05/01/2011.

SEAC, Chhattisgarh should be intimated accordingly.

(2)M/s Pradhanpat Barrage, Village – Lachhana, Tehsil & Block – Khairagarh, District – Rajnandgaon

Executive Engineer, Water Resources Division, Chhuikhadan, District- Rajnandgaon hadsubmitted application for grant of environmental clearance/ prescribing Terms of Reference (TOR) for construction of Pradhanpat Barrage on 08/12/2009.

The proposal was discussed in 51st and 55th meeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh held on 27/03/2010 and 28/04/2010 respectively. Committee then decided to ask the project proponent to submit the desired information/documents and present the case. Project proponent was informed vide letter dated 19/04/2010 accordingly.

Project proponent did not come for presentation in the 55th meeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh held on 28/04/2010. Committee then decided that after receipt of the requisite information/documents and formal request for presentation from project proponent proposal should be considered. Project proponent was informed vide letter dated 28/06/2010 accordingly.

Project proponent submitted information/documents vide letter dated 06/01/2011 on 21/01/2011. The proposal was reconsidered in the 73rdmeeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh held on 27/01/2011. Committee then decided that project proponent should be asked to present the case with relevant information/documents. The project proponent presented the case in 76thmeeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh held on 05/11/2011. During presentation it is noted that: -

Name of Project / - / Pradhanpat Barrage Project (Construction of Barrage, MainCanal, Distributaries and Minors)
Site / - / Latitude - 21021’47”
Longitude - 80049’25”
Near Village Lachhana, Tehsil & Block – Khairagarh,
District – Rajnandgaon (C.G.)
Catchment Area / - / 110.38 sqkm
Gross Storage Capacity / - / 3.4612 mcum
Live Storage Capacity / - / 3.4484 mcum
Dead Storage Capacity / - / 0.0128 mcum
Barrage Percentage in Relation to Yield / - / 13 %
Gross Command Area / - / 3360 ha
Cultivable Command Area / - / 2687 ha
Area Proposed Under Irrigation / - / 1950 ha
Kharif / - / 1950 ha
Rabi / - / Nil
Total / - / 1950 ha
Village Benefited / - / 14 No. (Tingamali,
Mudpar, Chandgarhi, Murhipar, Sondogri, Daihan, Garrapar, Tekapar, Achanakpur, Khamhardhi Kope Nowagaon, Bagaihari, Garrapar, Gumanpur
Nalla Bed Level / - / 360.00 m
Lowest Sill Level / - / 362.00 m
Full Reservoir Level / - / 374.00 m
Maximum Water Level / - / 375.00 m
Top of Bund Level / - / 377.00 m
Maximum Height of Barrage / - / 17.0 m
Length of Barrage / - / 64.80 m
No of Openings / - / 3 + 1 = 4 no.
Water Spread Area at L.S.L. / - / 2.00 ha
Water Spread Area at F.T.L. / - / 84.32 ha
PrivateLand for Canal / - / 32.3 ha
ForestLand for Canal / - / 5.38 ha
ForestLand for Head Work, Road and Submergence / - / 19.28 ha
PrivateLand for Submergence / - / 65.31 ha
RevenueLand / - / Nil
TotalLand required including Head Works, Canal, Road and Submergence / - / 122.27 ha
Canal Head Discharge / - / 3.3 Cumecs
Length of MainCanal / - / 10.35 km
Distributaries and Minors / - / 11.1 km
Total / - / 21.45 km
Additional Food Production Anticipated / - / 78000 Quintal / Year
Cast of the Project / - / Rs. 3580.79 Lakhs

It is also noted that construction work has already been started. Project Proponent informed that the construction of main canal was started on 13/10/2008. The construction of main canal has been completed. The construction of distributaries was started on 04/03/2011. 90% construction of distributaries has been completed. The construction of head works has been started on 24/10/2011 and construction work in progress. Project proponent also informed that acquisition and distribution of compensation of village – Dallikholi has been completed. Land acquisition of village- Lachhana is in progress. It further informed that Resettlement and Rehabilitation Scheme of Rs. 2.87 Crores for resettlement and rehabilitation of 51 families of village – Lachhana has been prepared and submitted to Water Resources Department, Government of Chhattisgarh for approval. In addition to the above, approach road from village – Lachhana to village – Dallikholi and one bridge will also be constructed. Stage-I forest clearance for 24.66 ha forest land has been granted vide letter dated 03/10/2008 and amendment letter dated 01/01/2009 by Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, New Delhi. Project proponent committed that the gates of the barrage would be closed only after implementation of Resettlement and Rehabilitation Scheme.

Based on the consideration of the documents submitted and the presentation made by the project proponent, being minor irrigation project, Committee decidedto consider the project as category B-2 and recommended for grant of Environmental Clearance for the Pradhanpat Barrage Project, near Village Lachhana, Tehsil & Block – Khairagarh, District – Rajnandgaon (C.G.) subject to the fulfillment of terms and conditions mentioned in the minutes of the meeting. Committee also decided to recommend for legal action against the project proponent for violation of provisions of EIA notification, 2006.

SEIAA, Chhattisgarh perused the proposal/information/documents submitted by the project proponent in its 20th meeting held on 31/12/2011. After deliberation, the SEIAA, Chhattisgarh unanimously decided to accept the recommendation of SEAC, Chhattisgarh and decided to grant environmental clearance for the construction ofPradhanpat Barrage Project, near Village Lachhana, Tehsil & Block – Khairagarh, District – Rajnandgaon (C.G.) subject to the terms and conditions already mentioned by SEAC, Chhattisgarh in its detailed minutes of the meeting. SEIAA, Chhattisgarh unanimouslyalso decided to accept the recommendation of SEAC, Chhattisgarh for legal actionunder section 19 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 against the project proponent for violation of EIA Notification, 2006.

(3)M/s Amlidih Quartz Mine, Village – Amlidih, Tehsil – Dongargarh, District- Rajnandagaon (CG)

The project proponent had submitted application for prescribing Terms of Reference (TOR) for preparing draft EIA report/ Environmental clearance. The project proponent has applied for Quartz mine of capacity 50000 tonnes per year (maximum production has been shown as 6,000 tonnes per year in the approved mining plan) at Khasra no. part of 958, Village -Amlidih, Tehsil - Dongargarh, District- Rajnandagaon. Lease area of the mine is 5.852 ha.

SEAC, Chhattisgarh considered the proposal in 11th meeting held on 05/09/2008.As per decision taken in the 11th meeting, project proponent was asked to submit the various information/documents and present the case in the 15th meeting to be held on 22/10/2008 vide letter dated 10/10/2008. As per decision taken in the 15th meeting, project proponent was again informed to submit the various information/documents and present the case in the 21st meeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh on 29/12/2008 vide letter dated 16/12/2008. Project proponent made presentation in the 21st meeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh on 29/12/2008. Committee then decided that project proponent should be asked to submit some information/documents. Project proponent was informed accordingly vide letter dated 13/02/2009. Project proponent had neither made any communication nor submitted the desired information/documents till 18/06/2010. The case was reconsidered in the 58th meeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh held on 18/06/2010. Committee then recommended for de-listing the application. The case was put-up in the 16th meeting of SEIAA, Chhattisgarh held on 25/08/2010. SEIAA, Chhattisgarh then unanimously decided to accept the recommendation of SEAC, Chhattisgarh and de-list the case from the list of pending cases. Accordingly, project proponent was informed vide letter dated 04/10/2010. Project proponent submitted the information vide letter dated 28/06/2011. The information was placed before Committee in the 74th meeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh held on 29/09/2011. Committee then decided to ask project proponent to present the case along with relevant information / documents. During presentation it was informed mining lease of Amlidih Quartz Mine (5.852 Ha) had been granted for the period of twenty years i.e. 30/10/1985 to 29/10/2005 to M/s Nakoda Minerals, Prop. Shri Nihalchand Jain. The mining lease transferred to Shri Deepchand Nahar on 19.10.2004 and renewed on 6.09.2006 for the period of 10 years from 30/10/2005 to 29/10/2015. Mining Plan approved by IBM vide letter no. RNG/QTZ/MPLN- 329/NGP dated 12/07/2005. Second mine owner started mining from 19/09/2006. The production detail of mine is as under:-

Year 2005-06 / - / Nil
Year 2006-07 / - / 6170 tonnes
Year 2007-08 / - / 5860 tonnes
Year 2008-09 / - / 230 tonnes

Mining operation closed from September 2008. Mining lease area is not part of forestland. No perennial stream is present with in the lease area. No seasonal nalla is present in the mine area. No river flowing within the radius of 5 km from lease area. Two seasonal nallas are present in the study area and flow for short durations during and after each spell of rain. Proven and probable (possible) reserves is 1,48,284 and 98,856 tonnes respectively. Float ore is 9,675 tonnes. Mine-able reserve is 1.93,943 tonnes. Anticipated life of the mine is 32 years.

This mine is open cast mine. Mining will be done manually with maximum bench height of 1.5 m. During the entire life of the mine 1210 m3 Soil/laterite and 9,936 m3 mine waste will be generated. Generated soil/laterite and mine waste will be stacked separately along the lease boundary. Later on the waste generated will be backfilled and since the quantity is less only fraction of the worked out pit will be filled. About one hectare of the pit will be backfilled over the entire life of mine. For confinement of the dump retaining wall of the size 1.2 m high and 1.0 m wide will be made around the toe of the dump with garland drain around to arrest siltation. At the end of the mining, backfilled area will be covered by blanket of green cover with local species. Regular water sprinkling during different operations & wet drilling will be ensured. Retaining wall will be developed all around the temporary dumps with garland drains. De-silting pit will be cleaned before rainy season. Rainwater harvesting will be provided. Earplugs etc. will be provided to workers. Local species will be planted every year around the lease boundary and back filled area. The total area under green belt will be about 2.128 ha in the lease area. Water sprinkling will be carried out to suppress the air borne dust. Environment Management Plan would be based on all mitigation measures proposed during various operation of mining as per the approved mining plan to minimize adverse environmental impact due to the mining activity.

Project proponent stated that by mistake, production capacity of the mine was mentioned as 50,000 tonnes per year and 7,000 tonnes per year. Project proponent requested to consider the capacity of quartzite mine - 6,000 tonnes per year as per approved mining plan. Committee pursued the revised Form – I, revised key plan, location of garland drains etc. Committee noted that three major mineral mines have been sanctioned within 02 km from this mine lease, as per information of the mining department.

As mining had been restarted in September 2006, project proponent not obtained environmental clearance as per provisions of Environment Impact Assessment Notification 1994/2006. SEAC, Chhattisgarh unanimously decided to recommend the SEIAA to take legal action under section 19 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 against the project proponent.

The SEAC, Chhattisgarh considered the activity from the point of view of its location (in rural area having nearest habitation Amlidih at 0.3 km and only three major mineral mine lease have been granted within 2.0 km from mine lease), nature and size i.e. mining of quartzite - 6,000 tonnes per yearin comparatively small lease area (5.852 ha) and felt that no significant impact on the surrounding is anticipated. State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) considered the proposal as ‘B2’ category and recommended to grant environmental clearancesubject to the fulfillment of the terms and conditions mentioned in the minutes of the meeting.

SEIAA, Chhattisgarh perused the proposal/information/documents submitted by the project proponent in its 20th meeting held on 31/12/2011. After deliberation, the SEIAA, Chhattisgarh unanimously decided to accept the recommendation of SEAC, Chhattisgarh and decided to grant environmental clearance for themining of quartzite - 6,000 tonnes per yearin lease area 5.852 haat Khasra no. part of 958, Village -Amlidih, Tehsil - Dongargarh, District- Rajnandagaonsubject to the terms and conditions already mentioned by SEAC, Chhattisgarh in its detailed minutes of the meeting. SEIAA, Chhattisgarh unanimouslyalso decided to accept the recommendation of SEAC, Chhattisgarh for legal actionunder section 19 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 against the project proponent for violation of EIA Notification, 2006.

(4)M/s Amamuda Diversion Scheme (Water Resources Division, Kota) Village – Amamuda ,Block - Kota, District – Bilaspur

Executive Engineer, Water Resources Division, Block – Kota, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) hassubmitted application (Form-I and Project Report) for grant of environmental clearance/ prescribing Terms of Reference (TOR) for construction of Amamuda Diversion Scheme on 28/12/2010. The brief of the proposal is as under:-

Name of the Project / Amamuda Diversion Scheme
Site / Village –Aamamuda, Block - Kota, District – Bilaspur (C.G.)
Gross Command Area / 1600.00 ha
Activity / Diversion Scheme
Cost of the Project / Rs. 3155.35 Lakhs

The proposal was considered in 71th meeting held on 10/01/2011 of SEAC, Chhattisgarh. The information submitted by the application is not complete. After deliberation, the Committee then decided to ask the project proponent to submit the complete information as required along with the revised application form.

Project proponent submitted revised application form vide letter dated 26/03/2011.The case was reconsidered in 74th meeting held on 29/09/2011 of SEAC, Chhattisgarh. Committee then decided to ask the project proponent to submit the requisite information/documents and present the case. Project proponent presented the case before SEAC, Chhattisgarh in 77th meeting held on 11/11/2011 and submitted the information related to water planning of the project and declaration that there will not be any effect in irrigation in down stream of Arpa river due to the proposed project. Project proponent also informed that no forest land will be affected. Head works and canal works of the project has been started on March 2011 and April 2011 respectively.

Based on the consideration of the documents submitted and the presentation made by the project proponent, the Committee decidedto consider the project as category B-2and recommended for grant of Environmental Clearance for the Amamuda Diversion Scheme (Water Resources Division, Kota) Village – Amamuda, Block - Kota, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) subject to fulfillment of terms and conditions mentioned in the minutes of the meeting.

As project proponent had started construction work of the project without obtaining environmental clearance as per provisions of EIA Notification, 2006, hence Committee also recommended to initiate legal action against project proponent for the violation of EIA Notification, 2006.

SEIAA, Chhattisgarh perused the proposal/information/documents submitted by the project proponent in its 20th meeting held on 31/12/2011. After deliberation, the SEIAA, Chhattisgarh unanimously decided to accept the recommendation of SEAC, Chhattisgarh and decided to grant environmental clearance for theAmamuda Diversion Scheme (Water Resources Division, Kota) Village – Amamuda, Block - Kota, District – Bilaspur (C.G.) subject to the terms and conditions already mentioned by SEAC, Chhattisgarh in its detailed minutes of the meeting. SEIAA, Chhattisgarh unanimouslyalso decided to accept the recommendation of SEAC, Chhattisgarh for legal actionunder section 19 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 against the project proponent for violation of EIA Notification, 2006.

(5)M/s Jaysawal Neco Industries Limited, Lain Dongri Iron Ore Deposit, Village-Barbaspur, District – Kanker (C.G.)

The Project proponent submitted application (Form-I and Mining Plan) for prescribing Terms of Reference (TOR) / Environment Clearance on 06/12/08 and 05/01/09. The Project proponent has proposed iron ore mining of 0.06 million tonnes per annum capacity. The case was considered in the 22nd, 26th, 43rd and 46th meeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh held on 31/01/2009, 13/03/2009, 30/09/2009 and 30/11/2009 respectively. A Sub-Committee of SEAC, Chhattisgarh visited the site on 08/11/2009.The Terms of Reference (TOR) was issued by SEAC, Chhattisgarh vide letter dated 14/01/2010. Public hearing was held on 06/05/2011. Project proponent submitted the Final EIA report along with public hearing documents on 29/08/2011.

The case was discussed in the 74thmeeting of SEAC, Chhattisgarh held on 29/09/2011. Committee then decided to ask the project proponent to present the case along with relevant information/documents, issues raised in public hearing etc.Also, asked to submit the verification report of DFO on flora and fauna in this study area. Project proponent submitted the desired information vide letter dated 07/11/2011. Project proponent presented the case before SEAC, Chhattisgarh in 77th meeting held on 11/11/2011.