Ramesh not for mining in Saranda sal forest

Ranchi, Dec 3 (PTI) Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today suggested that the dense Saranda forest in Jharkhand should be made a 'No-Go' zone as it is a Sal forest. "I am not in favour of mining in the dense Saranda forest as it a Sal forest and sal takes a long time to grow. My personal view is that Saranda forest should be made a no-go area, and utmost caution should be taken while giving permission for mining," he said at a press conference when asked his view on mining in the sal forest. When he was the forest minister, Ramesh added, he gave permission only to the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) with certain conditions that included spending two percent of its net profit on development of mining areas. "And that is the result that we are able to distribute cycles, transistor radios sponsored by the SAIL now," he said, adding 7000 families would be given cycles, solar lantern and radios in 56 villages situated in the Saranda forest. Ramesh, who visited Chhotanagra situated in the midst of Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district and interacted with the tribals there, said development in the villages would be visible in the next two to three years under the Saranda Action Plan.