Hindalco's Bauxite Mine Blocked to Protect Western Ghats

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Environment Ministry has declined Stage-II forest clearance for Hindalco Industries’ proposed bauxite mining project in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, citing its location within the eco-sensitive areas (ESAs) of the Western Ghats.

The project faces multiple regulatory and legal obstacles. The proposed site lies within a conservation reserve designated in March 2021, which is home to ecologically important species such as elephants, leopards, tigers, and Indian gaur. Additionally, no valid mining lease currently exists for the area.

Although the project received in-principle forest clearance in 2009 and environmental clearance in 2014, Hindalco has not commenced operations due to its failure to obtain the Rights of Forest Resources (RoFR) certificate under the Forest Rights Act.

At its July 30 meeting, the FAC cited lease validity issues, the ESA status, and the area’s designation as a conservation reserve as key reasons for withholding final approval. The committee noted that, “the proposal … cannot be considered at this stage.”

The decision also aligns with the 2024 draft ESA notification for the Western Ghats, which prohibits all mining activity within ESAs and requires closure of existing mines upon lease expiry. While the Maharashtra government argued that Hindalco’s proposal predates ESA restrictions, the Central government rejected this claim.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.