What Happened
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued notices to the Central Government, Madhya Pradesh Government, and the Adani Group over forest and wildlife clearances granted for a coal block in the Singrauli-Sidhi region of Madhya Pradesh.
- Two petitions triggered the notices: one challenging the approval for felling trees for the project, and a second claiming the proposed coal block area falls within or adjacent to an existing elephant corridor.
- The coal block in question — Mara II Mahan — was bagged by Adani Group's Mahan Energen Limited as the sole bidder in March 2024, holding an estimated 995 million tonnes of coal reserves.
- The Adani Group contends the block is at least 5 km from the elephant corridor and more than 10 km from Sanjay Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary, thus not requiring wildlife clearance.
- The working plan for the area (2019-20 to 2028-29) places the coal block within 1 km of the elephant corridor, directly contradicting the company's position.
Static Topic Bridges
National Green Tribunal (NGT) — Composition and Powers
The National Green Tribunal was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 as a specialised judicial body for swift disposal of cases relating to environmental protection, conservation of forests, and other natural resources. It exercises original and appellate jurisdiction over all civil cases involving substantial questions relating to the environment. The Tribunal has the same powers as a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure.
- Composition: Chairperson (retired Supreme Court judge or former Chief Justice of a High Court) + Judicial Members + Expert Members; minimum 10, maximum 20 full-time members; terms of 5 years (Chairperson) or 3 years (members), non-renewable
- Jurisdiction: All civil environmental matters under Environment Protection Act 1986, Forest Conservation Act, Water Act, Air Act, Biodiversity Act, and related laws
- Special power: The Supreme Court affirmed NGT's suo motu powers in October 2021
- NGT can award compensation and issue directions for restoration of the environment
- Appeals from NGT go to the Supreme Court of India
Connection to this news: The NGT is the appropriate forum for petitions challenging forest and wildlife clearances for the Singrauli coal block, as these involve substantial questions of environmental law.
Forest Conservation Act 1980 (now Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam)
Originally enacted in 1980 to check the rapid diversion of forests for non-forest use, the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) requires Central Government approval — called "Forest Clearance" — before any forest land can be diverted. The 2023 amendment renamed it Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. Forest Clearance involves two stages: Stage I (in-principle approval) and Stage II (final approval after conditions are met). The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under MoEFCC scrutinises proposals and recommends approval or rejection.
- Stage I (in-principle approval): Granted after examination by FAC; project can begin detailed planning but no tree-felling allowed
- Stage II (final approval): After meeting Stage I conditions, site inspection, and compensatory afforestation arrangements
- 2023 amendment: Narrowed the Act's applicability to formally notified forests and government-recorded forests; excluded lands not in government records
- Compensatory Afforestation: Mandatory for diverted forest land; managed through CAMPA funds
- The Act applies to the Singrauli coal project because it involves clearing forested land
Connection to this news: The petitions before the NGT challenge both the Stage I and Stage II clearances granted under this Act for the Mara II Mahan coal block.
Elephant Corridors and NBWL's Role
An elephant corridor is a strip of land that connects fragmented elephant habitats and allows safe movement, feeding, and breeding. Diversion of forest land that is part of an officially recognised elephant corridor is prohibited under forest and wildlife laws; if unavoidable, an alternative corridor must be established first. The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by the Prime Minister, is the apex body for wildlife conservation and is responsible for approving projects within or near wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and critical wildlife habitats.
- India has 101 identified elephant corridors (as per the 2010 Wildlife Trust of India/EFTF report; updated periodically by MoEFCC)
- Singrauli-Sidhi region: Part of the central India elephant landscape; Sanjay Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary adjoins the area
- Any project within 10 km of a Protected Area requires NBWL Standing Committee clearance
- Critical Wildlife Habitat (CWH): A demarcated zone inside Protected Areas inviolate for wildlife; different from Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), which is a buffer around Protected Areas
- The Adani Group's claim that the site is beyond 10 km from Sanjay Dubri WLS is central to whether NBWL clearance was required
Connection to this news: The second petition specifically contests whether the coal block's location relative to the elephant corridor required additional wildlife clearance that was either not sought or improperly granted.
Singrauli Coal Belt — Strategic Significance
Singrauli, straddling Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, is one of India's richest coal-bearing regions. It is home to multiple public and private coal blocks, major power plants (NTPC, Reliance), and significant infrastructure. The region is also ecologically sensitive — forests here support elephants, tigers (Sanjay Dubri), and critical water catchments. Conflicts between coal mining expansion and environmental conservation have been recurring here.
- Singrauli region: Part of the Gondwana coal belt; India's largest coal-producing district by some estimates
- Mara II Mahan coal block: 995 million tonnes estimated reserves; bagged by Mahan Energen Limited (Adani Group) March 2024
- NTPC's existing Singrauli plant: One of India's oldest and largest thermal power stations
- Mining in the region has previously triggered litigation, including NGT's invalidation of an earlier Mahan Coal Ltd forest clearance
Connection to this news: The Singrauli coal block controversy is the latest in a long pattern of tension between energy security imperatives and environmental protection in this ecologically critical belt.
Key Facts & Data
- Coal block: Mara II Mahan, Singrauli-Sidhi, MP; 995 million tonnes reserves
- Acquired by: Mahan Energen Limited (Adani Group), sole bidder, March 2024
- NGT notices issued to: Central Government, MP Government, Adani Group
- Working plan's stated proximity: Coal block within 1 km of elephant corridor (per 2019-20 to 2028-29 plan)
- Company's claim: 5 km from elephant corridor; more than 10 km from Sanjay Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary
- NGT Act 2010: Established specialised environmental tribunal; confers civil court powers
- Forest Conservation Act 1980 (renamed 2023): Requires Central Govt clearance for forest diversion
- NBWL: Chaired by PM; clearance required for projects within 10 km of Protected Areas