Angul Coal Mine Gets Stage-1 Forest Clearance; Over 750 Hectares of Forest Land to Be Diverted

AI FEED

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has recommended Stage-1 approval for diverting over 750 hectares of forest land in Angul.
The proposal is linked to the Alakananda coal mine, allotted to Rungta Sons Private Limited.
More than 3.3 lakh trees are expected to be affected, while 1,584 families may face project impacts.

ANUGOLA: The Angul coal mine forest diversion proposal has moved a step forward after the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recommended Stage-1 (in-principle) approval for diverting more than 750 hectares of forest land in Odisha’s Angul district.

The recommendation would facilitate the development of the Alakananda coal mine, allocated to Rungta Sons Private Limited, subject to compliance with a series of environmental, wildlife and compensatory afforestation conditions before Stage-II clearance is considered.

Angul Coal Mine Forest Diversion Raises Ecological and Social Concerns

According to the proposal, the project is expected to require the felling of more than 3.3 lakh trees, making it one of the significant forest diversion proposals in the region.

The project is also likely to have a substantial social impact. Reports indicate that 1,584 families across five villages could be affected, with 818 families facing complete displacement if the mining project proceeds.

The location of the proposed mining lease has attracted attention because of its ecological sensitivity. The lease area is situated about 4.9 kilometres from the Similipal-Satkosia Gorge tiger corridor and approximately 8.5 kilometres from the Sambalpur Elephant Reserve.

Forest officials have recorded the movement of elephants, leopards, sloth bears and several other wildlife species in and around the proposed mining area, highlighting the need for comprehensive mitigation measures.

FAC Prescribes Strict Conditions Before Final Clearance

During its meeting on July 7, the Forest Advisory Committee recommended the proposal while directing the project proponent and the Odisha government to fulfil multiple safeguards before Stage-II approval.

Among the key conditions are:

Implementation of mandatory compensatory afforestation.
Maintenance of a minimum 50-metre safety buffer on both sides of the Olhani River.
Preparation and implementation of a regional wildlife management plan, subject to approval by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Odisha.
Phased felling of trees in coordination with the State Forest Department and in accordance with the approved mining and mine-closure plans.

The committee also noted the hydrological importance of the region, observing that the Olhani River borders the eastern and southern sides of the lease area, while the Tikra River, a tributary of the Brahmani River, flows about 750 metres north of the proposed mining site.

Stage-II Clearance Hinges on Compliance with Environmental Safeguards

The FAC’s recommendation does not constitute final approval for the project. Before mining operations can begin, the project developer must comply with all conditions attached to the Stage-I clearance and obtain Stage-II (final) forest clearance from the Union government.