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The Union ministry of environment & forest (MoEF) has sought information from the Odisha government on distance of mining leases from national parks and sanctuaries in the state.
The MoEF has urged the state government to undertake high resolution satellite imagery to determine the distance of all operational iron ore and manganese ore mines from the sites of sanctuaries.
"MoEF had written to the state government, seeking information on distance of iron ore and manganese mines from national parks and sanctuaries. Odisha Space Application Centre (ORSAC) has been directed to take up satellite imagery of the lease areas. If required, field verification will be conducted. The mines are mostly concentrated in Mayurbhanj district”, said mines director Deepak Mohanty.
During its hearing in the state in March, the M B Shah Commission of enquiry had asked the state government to clarify its stand on mining in adjacent areas of wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forest area.
Meanwhile, the state forest department has completed GPS (Global Positioning System) survey of all the sanctuary areas. Chief secretary B K Patnaik has directed experts at ORSAC to cross check the data through field visits wherever necessary.
