The Maharashtra Government proposed an iron ore mining project in the Bramhapuri Forest Division of Chandrapur district, located within a critical wildlife corridor. On 11 September 2019, Sunflag Iron and Steel Company Limited was selected as the successful bidder for the Lohardongri Iron Ore Block. On 13 September 2019, the Maharashtra Government issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the mining lease. Following this, the company submitted a proposal seeking diversion of 35.94 hectares of forest land for mining under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. On 20 November 2020, the mining plan for the project was approved by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Nagpur. Later, in 2021, an application was filed for environmental clearance to proceed with the project.
According to the company’s assessment report, the proposed mine is expected to generate employment for approximately 120 individuals, including 32 permanent positions. The project involves the extraction of iron ore through opencast mining, with an estimated annual output of 1.1 lakh tonnes over 12 years. Nagpur-based Sunflag Iron and Steel Company Ltd was allotted nearly 36 hectares of forest land for the project. News reports indicate that approximately 18,000 trees may be felled for mining operations. Mongabay India referred to a tree enumeration survey from 2022, which identified 11,773 trees within the project area. However, they also mentioned that the figures could not be verified by the organisation independently.
In 2025, the Government of India and the Ministry of Mines approved mining activities in Block No. 39 of Brahmapuri Taluka. On 6 January 2026, the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife (SBWL), in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, recommended the project for wildlife clearance and forwarded the proposal to the National Board for Wildlife subject to certain conditions.
On 29 January 2026, the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), in its meeting, recommended rejection of the proposal, observing that it did not comply with applicable environmental clearance requirements. In February 2026, a local activist, Bandu Dhotre, filed a PIL challenging the proposed mining project, claiming that the project is violating the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It also claims that mandatory clearance from the National Board for Wildlife has not been obtained. Villagers are concerned that the same mountain rich in iron ore is also an important wildlife route, which is home to 60 tigers. Connected to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, iron ore mining is going to disturb the natural tiger movement and dispersal. Other than tigers, the landscape also supports a range of wildlife, including wild pig, gaur, sambar deer, leopard, and more.
Baimanus media also reported that over 17 families were directly affected by the project, apart from the environmental degradation. Sudhakar Mahadore, founder of Akshay Seva Sanstha, pointed out that local farmers are dependent on forest produce like Mahua and Tendu for their livelihood. Mahua leaves are a key source of food, medicinal use, and brewing alcohol, while Tendu leaves are used in Beedi production. The site is ecologically sensitive and falls within a crucial wildlife corridor connecting the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and the Ghodazari Wildlife Sanctuary in Chandrapur district.
In April 2026, the Bombay High Court issued notice to the concerned authorities and scheduled a further hearing after concerns were raised, and prima facie did not support granting permissions. Following this, the Maharashtra Government announced a temporary halt to the project, citing legal concerns and clearance-related proceedings associated with the mining proposal.
A division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode recorded the government's decision. A final decision on the wildlife clearance recommendation and the project's future status is expected at the next meeting of the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Opposition against environmental degradation
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common
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
2070
Whether the Project has been Delayed
No
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Yes
Source/Reference
<https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/maha-puts-mining-project-near-chanda-tiger-corridor-on-hold/articleshow/130617175.cms>
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
10.5
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws, Environmental Law, Other, 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.
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:
Non-implementation/violation of FRA
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Bombay High Court(Nagpur Bench)
Case Number
Suo Moto PIL no. 7 of 2026
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:
Industries, Energy, Labour and Mining Department, Government of Maharashtra
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:
Nagpur-based Sunflag Iron and Steel Company Ltd
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
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?
Shubham is a housing rights activist based in Mumbai. He has a post graduate from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai in urban policy and governance.
