22 December 2025 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Amid growing concern over forest fragmentation and increasing man-animal conflict, the Environment Ministry has cleared mining proposals in wildlife corridors in Madhya Pradesh that are crucial for tiger movement.
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL), which grants wildlife clearances to projects in critical habitats, has recommended bauxite mining within the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Phen Wildlife Sanctuary, which is adjacent to the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The mining lease is for a period of 50 years.
In a separate clearance involving limestone mining, the project is located adjacent to an approved wildlife corridor under the Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP) of the Panna Tiger Reserve, connecting the Panna, Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Tiger Reserves, in Maihar district. A committee constituted by the SC-NBWL visited the proposed project site, which spans 266.302 hectares.
During the field visit, the committee observed the presence of nearby mining and crushing units, including several small crushers contributing to air pollution. “In addition to the installation of highly efficient bag filters in conformity with prescribed standards proposed by the user agency to control emissions from its crusher operations, the Committee stipulated that the State Government must also initiate appropriate action to ensure effective dust control measures are implemented by the surrounding small crushers,” the minutes of the SC-NBWL meeting said.
Another bauxite mining project lying in close proximity — approximately 6 km from Phen Wildlife Sanctuary, about 7 km from Kanha Tiger Reserve and around 7 km from the Kanha–Achanakmar corridor — has also been approved by the wildlife panel.
However, the notification of the ESZ of Phen Wildlife Sanctuary is still under process. “The notification regarding the ESZ of Phen Wildlife Sanctuary is still under process; therefore, until this notification is formally issued, a 10 km radius from the sanctuary boundary will be treated as Eco-Sensitive Zone as per the guidelines issued by the Government of India on February 9, 2011 and December 13, 2023. The unprotected Mukam bauxite mining area lies within the ESZ boundary of Phen Wildlife Sanctuary along the Chhattisgarh Highway,” the minutes stated.
While all projects are required to adhere to clearance conditions, including maintaining the sanctity of buffer zones and minimising the impact of mining on wildlife, there is currently no mechanism to monitor compliance by user agencies. In this regard, the ninistry, in September, proposed developing a module to monitor compliance with conditions imposed while granting wildlife clearances.
Summary:
The government has approved several mining projects located near key tiger corridors in Madhya Pradesh, a move that has sparked environmental concerns. Wildlife experts and conservationists warn that mining activity in these sensitive zones could disrupt tiger movement, fragment habitats, and threaten long-term conservation efforts. Authorities, however, have stated that necessary clearances and mitigation measures are being followed to balance development and environmental protection.