Chief minister Arjun Munda today chaired a meeting of State Wildlife Board and directed officials to conduct environment impact assessment study for nearly 13 mining projects so that a final call on their forest clearances could be taken. Munda also asked them to prepare a plan for conservation of wildlife keeping in mind the environment impact assessment report and expert opinions. “Mining and industrial activities are important for the state’s economic growth. But environmental health and conservation of wildlife is more important,” he said. Apart from deputy chief minister Sudesh Mahto, forest and environment secretary Alka Tiwari, principal secretary to chief minister D.K. Tiwari, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) A.K. Malhotra and chief conservation of forest (wildlife) P.C. Mishra attended the meeting. The officials were also told to conduct a study on mines that have already been set up as well as review tree plantation drives that were carried out to compensate for clearing of forests during mining and industrial activities. “If it is felt that mining and industrial activities are spreading pollution, then we should focus on how to control it as well as how to increase the forest cover to minimise the adverse impact,” Munda said. As the agenda of the wildlife board was not discussed threadbare at the meet in the absence of environment assessment studies, officials declined to divulge details. But sources said 13 subjects had come up for discussions in all, a majority of which was forest clearances for mining projects in Saranda. “The meeting took up the issue of forest clearances for mining activities in Saranda forests. Besides, clearances for small hydel power projects in Saranda and Mahuadanr area of Latehar were discussed,” said an official. According to sources, the mining spots that were discussed are in Kiriburu and Porahat areas of Saranda while the hydel power projects are in Saranda and Mahuadanr. The chief minister has directed the officials to complete the environment impact assessment study soon for the mining and hydel power projects and present the reports to him. He also asked the board to invite officials from Geological Survey of India, Wildlife Institute of India and Botanical Survey of India to the next meeting.