Government of India Issues New Guidelines for District Survey Reports (DSR)
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, has issued an important Office Memorandum dated 19.06.2026 clarifying the procedure for preparation and updation of District Survey Reports (DSRs) under Appendix-X of the EIA Notification, 2006.
The clarification follows observations made by the Kerala High Court regarding the authority responsible for preparing DSRs for minor minerals, including sand mining and riverbed mining. To ensure uniform implementation across all States and Union Territories, the Ministry has designated the State Department of Mines and Geology as the nodal authority for preparing DSRs.
As per the new guidelines, DSRs will be prepared through a sub-divisional committee comprising the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), representatives from the Irrigation Department, State Pollution Control Board, Forest Department, and the District Geologist/Mining Officer. The draft DSR must then be submitted to the SEAC/SEIAA for approval.
The memorandum also states that DSRs may be updated once every five years. However, if new mineral resources are identified, supplementary or addendum DSRs can be prepared following the prescribed procedure.
This clarification is expected to bring greater transparency, consistency, and accountability in environmental clearances related to minor mineral mining activities across India.
19.06.2026
Who Will Prepare District Survey Reports? MoEF&CC Issues Clarification
 Preparation Process for Minor Minerals){kind=link}
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