Forest rules amended to get approval for critical minerals mining: Minister

The government's National Critical Mineral Mission 2025 seeks to achieve self-reliance in the critical minerals sector, said Yadav at CII Sustainability Summit in New Delhi

The Environment Ministry has notified changes in forest conservation rules to simplify approvals for mining critical minerals, said Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday.

 

The decision is part of a series of crucial notifications issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in the past few days to boost sustainability.

 

Yadav said the ministry, on 31st August 2025, amended the Forest (Conservation and Augmentation) Rules, 2023 to facilitate the objective of achieving self-reliance in the Critical Mineral sector under the newly launched National Critical Mineral Mission, 2025. Under the mission, 24 minerals have been identified as critical and strategic, and 29 others have been recognized as important for strengthening the country’s economy and national security.

 

"The amended rules simplify the approval process for mining these minerals in forest areas for both public and private entities," Yadav said. The mines ministry had in February requested MoEFCC to fast track Environmental Clearance (EC) proposals of critical and strategic mineral mining projects. MoEFCC, in turn, informed the mines ministry that a provision has already been made in the application form (for EC) with inclusion of sub-activity related to critical and strategic minerals on the Parivesh portal.

 

"Further, a sub category named mining of critical minerals has also been added under major category of Mining on Parivesh to ease the tracking and monitoring of these proposals submitted under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam 1980 for prior approval of the central government," Minister of State (MoS), MoEFCC, Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written reply in Parliament last month.

 

Speaking at the event, Yadav also said that MoEFCC has notified the revised methodology for the Green Credit Programme on August 29, introducing provisions such as direct participation by private entities, minimum restoration commitment and mobilising private capital for climate action. The government launched the Green Credit Programme in 2023 to encourage individuals and institutions to voluntarily undertake positive environmental action. The initiative promotes effective eco-restoration work on degraded forest land.

 

"On August 29, we enacted the Environment Audit Rules 2025. These rules establish a formal framework for environmental auditing across India. The new rules, which come into force immediately, are designed to supplement the existing government monitoring and inspection framework and establish a formal framework for environmental auditing across India," Yadav said. The new rules establish a two-tier system for environmental auditors and dedicated agencies to oversee the process.

 

He also said that there is a need to rethink sustainability given that the prevailing political situation, escalating trade tensions and industrial growth are actually slowing the engine of global growth.