In September 2025, the incident of felling trees for a proposed coal mine by Adani Group in Dhirauli area of Singrali district in Madhya Pradesh drew criticisms. The mine project, allotted to the conglomerate in 2019 and which received the approval from Coal Ministry in September 2025 to commence its operation, boasts of peak production capacity of 6.5 million tons per annum (MTPA), through both open cast method and underground mining.
The coal mine project involves the diversion of 1397.54 hectares of forest land across five villages and further would impact an additional three villages adjacent to the proposed site. The affected villages include Amdand, Amraikhoh, Basi Berdah, Phatpani, Belwar, Dhirauli, Jhalari and Siraswah. The mining lease sprawls across 26.72 kilometres, nearly two-thirds of which is forest land sustaining local communities. The remaining lease includes dwellings and farms.
However, in September 2025, former Union Environment Minister and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh pointed out that the Adani Group began cutting trees on government and forest land for its project in violation of the provisions of Forest Rights Act. He stated that the project is being pushed ahead without obtaining Stage-II Forest Clearance and in blatant violation of FRA 2006 and PESA 1996 laws.
It is alleged that provisions of mandatory consultations with the Gram Sabha as envisaged under the PESA Act 1996 have been ignored, and further the Supreme Court judgment mandating Gram Sabha consent has been violated.
The project is expected to impact the livelihoods of the indigenous people, as the deforestation exercise is slated to trim trees of Mahua, tendu, medicines and fuel wood – sources of forest produce on which indigenous communities largely depend on for sustenance.
Earlier, a report noted that local communities particularly those who would be displaced, protested in the public meeting convened by district administration in September 2022 for discussions on Resettlement and Rehabilitation Scheme. The villagers alleged that their rights have been ignored during the land-takeover process for Dhirauli Coal project. It was also alleged that public hearing conducted in May 2022 as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study project was also not conducted in a fair manner.
In February 2022, the indigenous people and farmers had protested calling violation of land acquisition norms for this project. Further, it was alleged the project was moving ahead despite issues surrounding displacement and compensation.
The Madhya Pradesh government, however, said that all necessary approvals and processes have been duly followed and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted Stage-II approval for the project. It claimed that the project land neither comes under the PESA area nor the Fifth Schedule Area, and a public hearing had been carried out as per rules and with the Gram Sabha approval. It also said the process of paying total compensation of Rs 18 crore to 49 patta owners is underway at the district level.
It is important to note that in its reply to a Lok Sabha question on 9 August 2023, the Ministry of Coal referred to the Dhirauli Coal Mining project area, indicating that it falls within a protected region under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand for legal recognition of land rights
Opposition against environmental degradation
Refusal to give up land for the project
Complaint against procedural violations
Demand for compensation
Demand for rehabilitation
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
There are environmental concerns over the impact of the project on Hardul stream and its catchment area, as a section of stream flows in lease area. The Elephant Corridor also passes through the lease area.
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land, Grazing, Residential area, Other environmental services
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
2800
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2021
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Constitutional Law, Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws, Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws, Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws, Land Acquisition Laws, Environmental Law
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Lack of legal protection over land rights
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Non-implementation/violation of FRA
Non-implementation/violation of PESA
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of Coal; Office of District Collector Singrauli; Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Adani Power Limited; Mahan Energen Ltd (Earlier - Stratatech Mineral Resources Private Limited)
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Indigenous Tribal Communities; Baigas - Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG); Scheduled Caste communities
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
