Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today granted conditional clearance for South Korean major Posco’s 12 billion US dollar steel project in Odisha.The ministry, while granting conditional green clearance for steel-cum-captive-power plant and a captive minor port, however, sought Odisha government's assurances before it can give final approval for diversion of forest land for the project. The ministry in its order, said environmental clearance for the steel-cum-captive power plant is being accorded with 28 additional conditions over and above stipulated in the original environmental clearance of July 19th, 2007. The ministry further said the environmental clearance for captive port is being accorded with 32 additional conditions over and above stipulated in the original environmental clearance of May 15th2007. The minister also asked Odisha government to give a categorical assurance that those claiming to be dependent on or cultivating the land in the Posco project area do not belong to the other traditional forest dwellers category under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.In August last year, Environment Ministry had directed the Orissa government to stop land acquisition for Korean steel giant Posco because it violates the Forest Rights Act.The step was taken on the basis of a ground report submitted by a three-member committee set up by the Environment and Tribal Affairs Ministries.The ministry has also asked that Posco shall ensure that no industrial activity shall be carried out within coastal regulated zone area other than those permissible. The environment ministry has also given a guideline that no construction shall be undertaken in the high erosion zone.