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Relevance: GS-III Environment, EIA & Conservation; GS-II Tribal Rights & Governance Source: MoEFCC clearance documents, June 2026

1 · What exactly happened?

The Union Environment Ministry has officially given environmental clearance (EC) to start mining in the Kente Extension coal block. This mine is located deep inside the famous Hasdeo-Arand forests in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district and aims to extract 9 million tonnes of coal every year.

This is the third coal mine approved in the Hasdeo region. The mining rights were given to a Rajasthan state company (RRVUNL) back in 2015, with the Adani group hired to develop and run the mine. This approval has reignited a massive debate: Should we prioritize coal for electricity, or save our ancient forests and tribal homes?

2 · Development vs. Ecology

The Rules of Mining: To mine in a forest, a project needs two separate green signals. First, an Environmental Clearance (checking pollution and impact) and second, a Forest Clearance (permission to legally cut down trees under the Forest Conservation Act). The Kente mine has now secured both.
The Decision
Powering the grids
The coal dug up here will be sent to Rajasthan to keep their thermal power plants running. To do this, about 1,742 hectares of rich forest land will be dug up.
What we risk losing
Central India’s green lungs
Hasdeo is one of the largest unbroken Sal forests left in Central India. It is packed with wildlife, acts as a huge carbon sink, and feeds the Hasdeo river.
The True Cost
Trees, animals, and homes
Over 4.48 lakh trees will be cut down in phases. The area is home to highly protected animals (Schedule-I) and sits near an elephant path. Local tribal families will lose their homes.
The Big Controversy
Was consent forced?
Under laws like PESA and FRA, tribal villages (Gram Sabhas) must agree before their forest is taken. Activists claim the consent for Hasdeo mines was faked or forced.
  • Ignoring the Experts: In 2021, the government’s own Wildlife Institute of India (WII) warned against opening any new mines in Hasdeo to protect its rare wildlife. This clearance was granted despite that clear warning.
  • The Tree Math: About 98,000 trees will be chopped in the first five years alone. To make up for it, the government has asked the company to physically uproot and replant around 67,000 smaller trees somewhere else.
  • Political pushback: Back in 2022, the entire Chhattisgarh Assembly unanimously asked the Centre to cancel all Hasdeo coal blocks. The local ‘Hasdeo Bachao Andolan’ (Save Hasdeo Movement) has been protesting for years.
  • The Core Dilemma: India desperately needs cheap coal right now to avoid power cuts, but we also have global promises to fight climate change and protect tribal rights. Hasdeo is where these two goals crash into each other.
UPSC Prelims Quick Facts
Hasdeo-Arand One of Central India’s largest unbroken Sal forests in Chhattisgarh; sitting on massive coal reserves.
FCA, 1980 Forest (Conservation) Act. It controls how forest land is handed over for non-forest activities like mining.
Schedule-I species Animals that receive the highest legal protection in India under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
WII Wildlife Institute of India. The top government research body that advised against mining in Hasdeo.
PESA / FRA Laws (PESA Act, 1996 & Forest Rights Act, 2006) that make it mandatory to get Gram Sabha permission before taking tribal forest land.
Lemru Elephant Reserve A protected elephant zone very close to the new Kente coal block.
MCQ Practice Question
Q. With reference to forest and environmental clearances in India, consider the following statements:

  1. Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, diversion of forest land for non-forest use requires a two-stage clearance.
  2. In Fifth Schedule Areas, PESA, 1996 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006 require Gram Sabha consent for diverting community forest resources.
  3. Environmental Clearance for mining projects is granted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only    (b) 2 and 3 only    (c) 1 and 3 only    (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

  • Statement 1 — Correct: Giving away forest land requires a strict two-stage process under the FCA, 1980.
  • Statement 2 — Correct: Under PESA and FRA, taking tribal land requires the clear consent of the local Gram Sabha.
  • Statement 3 — Incorrect: Beware the trap! The WII is just a research body. Environmental Clearances are actually granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
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