FAC Recommends Forest Land Diversion for Mining Projects in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has recommended in-principle approval for forest land diversion for multiple mining projects, including over 1,000 hectares for a coal block and 470 hectares for a coal mine in Madhya Pradesh. The committee also approved continuous exploratory drilling in Assam and granted approval for the Kendudihi North Iron Ore Block in Odisha. A decision on a hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh was deferred pending further documentation.

Published Mar 25, 2026

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of India has recommended in-principle approval for the diversion of 1,063.1142 hectares of forest land for the Marwatola-VII coal block and 469.612 hectares for the Gondbahera Ujheni East coal mine in Madhya Pradesh. Both projects are expected to result in significant surface deformation.

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The FAC has also approved continuous exploratory drilling in Assam for Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) under specified conditions. Additionally, 135.980 hectares of forest land were approved for the Kendudihi North Iron Ore Block in Odisha. The decision on a 680 MW hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh was deferred pending further documentation.