On June 26, 2025, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) Standing Committee authorized the Coal Project cleared in the Maharashtra Tiger Corridor, permitting Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) to divert 80.77 hectares of forest land in Chandrapur district. This decision on the Durgapur Opencast Mine has sparked controversy about how to address ecological integrity versus economic needs. The location of the project in a critical wildlife corridor raises issues of how to bring biodiversity conservation and extracting resources into harmony.
Project Details
The Durgapur Opencast Mine lies in a corridor linking Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Kanhargaon Wildlife Sanctuary, and Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, which are essential for tiger dispersal. According to the Times of India (August 27, 2024), it will divert 80.77 hectares, roughly 182 football fields. The Indian Express (April 18, 2025) reports 8 million tonnes of coal reserves, while The Times of India suggests 15.2 million tonnes, with 10.5 million from the forest area. The 8 million tonnes figure is used here due to recent reporting.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Durgapur Opencast Mine |
| Proponent | Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) |
| Location | Chandrapur, Maharashtra |
| Area to be Diverted | 80.77 hectares |
| Coal Reserves | 8 million tonnes (per The Indian Express, April 2025) |
| Approval Date | June 26, 2025 |
| Approving Body | Standing Committee of NBWL |
| Conditions | – Wildlife Management Plan (Rs 18.07 crore)
– Fencing of forest edges near mining zones – Removal of invasive species (e.g., Prosopis) within five years |
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Approval Process for Coal Project Cleared in Maharashtra Tiger Corridor
The NBWL’s approval followed a thorough assessment on May 7, 2025, led by the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), after discussion at the 82nd NBWL meeting on March 12, 2025. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was directed to clarify tiger corridor delineation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. A site inspection evaluated ecological impacts before the final decision on June 26, 2025. The approval includes an Rs 18.07 crore Wildlife Management Plan by the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.
Environmental Concerns
A tiger corridor is located in the project area, which causes concern among environmentalists due to potential disruption of tiger movement, habitat connectivity, and the resulting risks to biodiversity. NBWL member HS Singh stated there is room for the state’s chief wildlife warden to revisit the plans. Meanwhile, Raman Sukumar argued the need for actual field assessments, as they argued, digital tools would not capture on-the-ground realities. The MoEFCC secretary argued the area is “broken” already, and therefore, we can continue with the plans. The NTCA was absorbed with the idea of limiting the tiger corridors to “least cost pathways.”
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Mitigation Measures
The NBWL imposed conditions to mitigate impacts:
An Rs 18.07 crore plan to reduce effects on wildlife, based on a Wildlife Institute of India study.
Barriers around forest edges prevent animal entry into mining zones.
Invasive Species Removal:
Eradication of Prosopis within five years, with a plan approved by Chandrapur’s Chief Conservator of Forests.
In Conclusion
The Durgapur Opencast Mine Project shows the tensions between economic development and environmental conservation. Meeting India’s coal needs also threatens a tiger corridor, while conditions set by the NBWL pave the way for a middle ground between the two. The long-term ecological impact of such actions is still uncertain, which highlights the need for policies that address sustainable development and biodiversity.
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