Dept of Forest Ciruclar on 25 Mt Forest boundary
In year 1995 Dept. of Forest issued a circular for maintaining a minimum 25 -meter safety distance from forest boundaries. Mining operations were prohibited from demarcated forest boundary. The buffer protects the forest periphery from heavy vibrations, noise, and airborne dust.
Dept of Forest Ciruclar on 50 Mt Forest boundary
In year 2023, Department of Forest mandated that mining is strictly prohibited within 50 meters of any forest boundary or forest area. The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the Forest Department will not issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or Environmental Clearance (EC) if a mining lease falls inside this restricted 50-meter safety zone. Prior it was 25 meters.
List of Revenue Villages for which certificate of distance from Forest Boundary/ Protected Area Boundary is not required
The distance regulations from a forest or protected area boundary depend heavily on the type of activity and local jurisdiction. In India, under Supreme Court and Ministry of Environment guidelines, these zones act as shock absorbers to protect wildlife and ecological integrity.
Key Distance Restrictions in India (Rajasthan)
- Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ): The Supreme Court mandates a minimum ESZ of 1 km around all national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Within the state of Rajasthan, concerned revenue authorities generally do not process land-use conversions within \(1 \text{km}\) of these boundaries without forest clearance.
- Mining Bans: Mining activities are strictly prohibited within a 1 km radius of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.