To mitigate and control environmental pollution and improve upon the health and welfare of persons employed in mines a large number of acts, rules, amendments, notifications have been brought out during the last three decades by the Nodal Ministries of the Govt. of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Ministry of Steel & Mines, the Ministry of Labour & Ministry of Industries.

Different regulatory bodies have been created both at the central and state level; like CPCB, SPCB for control of Water and Air Pollution; Chief Conservator of Forest (Zonal Office of the Forest Department of Central Govt.) and D.F.O./ C.O.F./P .C.C.F of State Govt. for Forest Conservation; IBM for Mineral Conservation and ,Environment Protection and approval of “Mining Plan” and “Mining Scheme” in the metal mine sector; State Directorates of Geology & mining and Department of Mineral / Natural Resources for granting lease deeds monitoring & registration of the lease deeds and collection of royalty.

These guidelines have been compiled to impart an overview of environmental laws in India and directions for submission of different returns etc. to the IBM.