Mumbai, May 4 (PTI) The Maharashtra government on Monday approved the diversion of 937.077 hectares of reserved and protected forest land in Gadchiroli district for mining.
The government order (GO) stated
that the land has been allotted to Lloyds Metals and Energy for scientific exploration and extraction of low-grade iron ore (hematite quartzite) from areas adjoining its existing mines in Hedri, Bande and Parsalgondi villages in the Etapalli range.
The company is already carrying out mining operations over around 348 hectares in the district, it said.
The proposal for diversion was submitted in March 2024 by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Nodal Officer, Nagpur, under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. It was forwarded by the state government to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in June 2024.
The Centre granted in-principle approval to the proposal in May 2025, subject to certain conditions, the order said.
After the state submitted compliance in February 2026, the Union ministry accorded final approval in April 2026, it added.
The clearance is subject to certification by the Chief Conservator of Forests (Territorial), Gadchiroli, in consultation with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), and separate wildlife clearance is not required for the project. PTI ND NSK
