Forest Diversion in Tiger Corridor of Maharashtra for Coal Project Approved, Affecting 80.77 Hectares of Forest Area
The Durgapur Opencast Mine project, located in Maharashtra's tiger corridor, has recently been approved by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) amidst concerns about its ecological impact. The project, which lies within the landscape connecting Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Kanhargaon Wildlife Sanctuary, and Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, is a contentious development in a highly sensitive biodiversity corridor.
### Current Concerns
The project will impact 80.77 hectares of forest land integral to a key tiger dispersal and movement corridor. There are worries about disruption to tiger movement and the broader ecosystem due to mining activities. Local indigenous communities and environmental activists have voiced concerns, reflecting broader fears about mining’s effects on biodiversity, wildlife conflicts, and forest-dependent livelihoods in similar areas nearby, such as Gadchiroli.
The risk of habitat fragmentation and increased human-wildlife conflict is significant given the mine’s location within a sensitive corridor. The potential disruption of tiger movement and habitat connectivity has raised concerns about the long-term ecological impact of such actions.
### Mitigation Measures
The approval came with strict conditions, including the development and implementation of a dedicated Wildlife Management Plan costing Rs 18.07 crore, based on research by the Wildlife Institute of India. Measures include fencing forest edges near mining zones to restrict wild animal movement, aiming to reduce accidental incursions and conflicts around the mine zone.
The project proposes the removal of invasive species such as Prosopis from the mine area within five years, helping restore native vegetation and habitat quality. A detailed invasive species removal plan will be created in consultation with forest officials and approved by the Chief Conservator of Forests at Chandrapur.
### Balancing Biodiversity Conservation and Economic Needs
The approval reflects an attempt to balance the economic imperatives of coal mining to support regional energy and industrial needs with the urgent conservation goals for tiger corridors. By imposing stringent ecological safeguards, such as a wildlife management plan and habitat restoration actions, the plan attempts to mitigate mine impacts while allowing economically important resource extraction.
This approach tries to mediate between the state’s developmental goals and international obligations for wildlife conservation, though critics argue the risk to biodiversity remains considerable. The involvement of scientific agencies and condition-based approval indicates an effort at evidence-based decision-making, seeking to minimize damage through planning and monitoring.
In summary, the Durgapur Opencast Mine project is a contentious development in a highly sensitive biodiversity corridor. It is permitted with strict measures aimed at mitigating environmental harm, including active wildlife management and habitat restoration. This reflects a complex but clear attempt to reconcile conservation priorities with economic development in a tiger habitat landscape vulnerable to fragmentation and degradation.
The project is being undertaken by Western Coalfields Limited (WCL). The Durgapur Opencast Mine Project showcases the tensions between economic development and environmental conservation, as it meets India's coal needs while threatening a tiger corridor. Fencing of forest edges near mining zones and removal of invasive species within five years are conditions imposed on the project.
- The project's approval may affect the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting in the industry, considering the concerns about its ecological impact and potential disruptions to tiger movement.
- The sports community, like wildlife enthusiasts who value environmental-science, may voice opposition to the Durgapur Opencast Mine project, given its location within a sensitive biodiversity corridor and the risks associated with habitat fragmentation.
- Finance institutions may take a closer look at the project's environmental and social performance, as they consider investing in energy-intensive industries such as coal mining that are subject to climate-change-related risks.
- The business sector should be aware of the potential regulatory scrutiny and reputational risks associated with investments in projects that have controversy and ecological concerns, like the Durgapur Opencast Mine.
- The opposition to the project highlights the importance of balancing the economic needs of energy and industry with the preservation of vital climate-change and environmental-science issues, such as protecting tiger corridors and promoting biodiversity.
