Gadchiroli Forest Land Survey Approved for Iron Ore Exploration

The Maharashtra state government has granted permission for a private company to conduct iron ore exploration on approximately 624 hectares of forest land located in Ettapalli taluka, Gadchiroli district. This approval, communicated through a government resolution (GR) issued earlier this week, allows for the drilling of 78 boreholes in the reserved forest area near Welmagad village. The company is required to complete the survey within one year from the date of approval.

Gadchiroli district, which has recently emerged from a prolonged period of left-wing extremism, is now witnessing significant investments from mining companies. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed his vision for Gadchiroli to evolve into India's next steel city, aiming for fully integrated complexes that encompass the entire value chain from ore extraction to steel production. This ambition aligns with the government's broader strategy to boost economic development in the region.

The initial approval for the project was granted by the Regional Office of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on June 25, 2025, with final clearance received on January 29 of this year, contingent upon the company's adherence to specified conditions. Following this, the district collector issued a certificate for the forest land in accordance with the Forest Rights Act of 2006.

The GR outlines several conditions to mitigate environmental impact, including a prohibition on constructing labor camps within the forest, restricting drilling activities to daylight hours, and preventing the creation of new paths for survey purposes. The company is also mandated to provide labor details to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) in Bhamragarh and to promptly backfill any abandoned boreholes before commencing new drilling operations.

It is important to note that the permission for the survey does not equate to a right for forest clearance, which will be evaluated based on merit by the relevant authorities. The project must comply with all statutory requirements, including securing a valid lease and adhering to any court orders. The DCF has been tasked with monitoring compliance and reporting any violations, while the Chief Conservator of Forests in Gadchiroli is responsible for ensuring strict adherence to these regulations. The firm must also grant forest officers unrestricted access to the survey area, with the risk of permission being revoked for non-compliance.