Times of India reported that Mr Jairam Ramesh minister of environment and forest has asked Mr Ashok Chavan Chief Minister of Maharashtra to review the 49 mining leases given for excavation of iron ore and bauxite in Sindhudurg region.

The move follows a TOI expose on the state government's decision to approve the leases in the eco sensitive district of Konkan Maharashtra.

Mr Ramesh's letter to the chief minister, which attached a series of news reports that appeared in TOI on October 15th 2010 and October 16th 2010, expressed serious doubts on the credibility and integrity of the environment impact assessment reports, saying that "It appears to me that if these mining leases are not reviewed, we would be opening the gates to a very severe environmental disaster."

The TOI reports warned of the serious environmental problems that could visit this beautiful, lush green belt along the Western Ghats. They also spoke of the ecological impact, including loss of forest cover, irreparable damage to flora and fauna, heavily dependent on the forest and its resources. The reports also described how easy it was to get fabricated environmental impact assessment reports prepared to ease the way for the mines.

(Sourced from www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com)