the ministry of environment and forests is formulating guidelines to regulate mining in ecologically fragile forests. According to the proposed guidelines, forests areas will be mapped to find out the quality of mineral deposits and forests, and the distribution of biodiversity and tribal population. And mining licences will only be issued if all the norms are properly met.

The Indian Bureau of Mines will coordinate the mapping process with the help of satellites. Nearly 60 districts have already been mapped. A mining policy will be introduced in forest policy once the mapping process is over.

Though the Environment Protection Act lays down rules to ensure mining activity in accordance with environmental standards, the need for such an exercise has arisen because there are no zonal classifications at present to ascertain the extent of mineral deposits and their existence in forest areas.