Mining without forest clearances in Odisha branded illegal by SC

The Supreme Court was irked that mining companies, which have not been granted forest clearances by the Centre and other authorities, are continuing with the “illegal excavation” of minerals in Odisha

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday took strong note of continuing “illegal mining” of minerals by some firms in Odisha without obtaining forest clearance (FCs) from authorities under the garb of “status quo” orders, and asked the state High Court to dispose of such matters in six months.

The top court was irked over the fact that the mining companies, which have not been granted FCs by the Centre and other authorities, are continuing with the “illegal excavation” of minerals on grounds that the High Court has passed the status quo orders with regard to the dispute.

“How can the mining be continued without getting forest clearance (from authorities) under the garb of a status quo order from the High Court,” a vacation bench of justices M. R. Shah and Aniruddha Bose said.

“Anything which has been excavated without the forest clearance is illegal. You cannot be permitted to continue with the excavation or extraction of minerals without the forest clearance. It is unfortunate that High Courts are passing such orders of status quo and permitting continuance of mining work,” the bench said.