No green clearance has been given for mining in the mountains falling in the vicinity of famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said on Monday, days after a high level panel of her Ministry gave nod to such a proposal.

"No, Sir," said Natarajan in the Lok Sabha in a written reply when asked whether the government has granted clearance for mining near Vaishno Devi shrine which is situated in an environmentally-fragile area.

Natarajan's statement assumes significance as a high-level committee of her ministry, at a meeting chaired by her in October, had approved a proposal by Jammu and Kashmir Mineral Development Corporation to exploit mangnesite at an ecologically sensitive Chipprian Hills, owned by the shrine board.

The Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife had also given approval for setting up of Dead Burnt Magnesia Plant near a sanctuary, home to endangered species like leopard, goral and peafowl.

"...the committee after discussions recommended the proposal with the conditions proposed by the Chief Wildlife Warden, Jammu and Kashmir," a Ministry document quoting 23rd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the NBWL held on October 14 at Paryavaran Bhawan had said.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government's proposal was to exploit 1240000 TPA (Tonnes Per Annum) High Grade Magnesite Deposit at Chipprian Hills and setting up 30000 TPA Dead Burnt Magnesia Plant at Panthal, near Trikuta Wildlife Sanctury at Katra District.