Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Angul and Koraput see maximum diversion

As many as 18077.329 hectares (ha) of forest land have been diverted for mining activities in the state till June 2013. “About 52040.805 ha of different types of forest land are leased out in the mining areas. On approval of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, about 18077.329 hectares of forest land are diverted in accordance with the Forest Conservation Act, 1980,” state Forest and Environment Minister, Bijayshree Routray said in a written reply to the state assembly.