The Tamil Nadu government permits quarrying and mining near reserve forests but strictly prohibits it within a 60-metre radial distance from the boundaries of these forests. Additionally, commercial quarrying remains fully banned within 1 km of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, tiger reserves, and elephant corridors.
The rules regarding this mandate have evolved recently:
- December 2022: The state government amended the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 by removing the 1 km buffer zone restriction around "reserve forests," citing revenue losses and practical difficulties for operational quarries.
- January 2023: Following widespread pushback from environmentalists and political allies, the government clarified the policy by imposing a strict 60-metre mandatory safety zone for quarrying around reserve forests.
- Current Operations: New and existing quarry leases near reserve forest borders continue to operate under this mandatory 60-metre buffer limit, alongside a state-wide crackdown on unauthorized and illegal mining.
You can read more about the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 or track active Government Orders regarding mineral leases on the official State Geology and Mining portal. [1]
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