NMDC Bailadila mining expansion gets Centre’s approval

New Delhi | Desk: The central government has recommended the diversion of 874.924 hectares of forest land in the Bailadila Reserve Forest (BRF) in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district for mining and granted environmental clearance (EC) for the expansion of NMDC's iron ore mining operations. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved the proposal for 'Deposit-11' at its 57th meeting.

The project aims to increase iron ore production from 11.30 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 14.50 MTPA and waste excavation to 15.39 MTPA.

The Bailadila hills are globally renowned for their high-grade hematite reserves, which currently hold 351.32 million tonnes of mineable reserves.

However, this expansion plan has reignited environmental and social concerns. Local youth and political groups in Dantewada have been protesting against the proposal since January 5.

The protesters argue that the mining expansion poses a serious threat to the region's ancient trees, water sources, and rare wildlife.

The forest area is extremely rich in biodiversity, home to mammals such as sloth bears, leopards, Indian pangolins, and giant flying squirrels.

It is also home to the state bird, the hill myna, and several other rare species. According to the Expert Appraisal Committee documents, NMDC has prepared a site-specific conservation plan and deposited Rs 10.25 crore with the Dantewada Forest Division for its implementation. It is noteworthy that forest clearance for this land was already granted in 2020, valid until September 2037.