+
State-owned firms can now use degraded forest lands: Govt
COAL & MINING

State-owned firms can now use degraded forest lands: Govt

The environment ministry announced that the state-owned companies that manage captive coal mines would now be able to be authorised to conduct compensatory afforestation efforts on degraded forests rather than non-forest land.

On a case-by-case basis, the environment ministry's forest conservation division informed that compensatory afforestation over degraded forests of twice the size instead of equivalent non-forest land could be considered for captive coal blocks of state public sector units.

To compensate for forest loss due to coal mining, forest conservation guidelines from 2003 stated that such plantings should be grown on non-forest land.

Although, such situations would only be considered if the state's chief secretary certifies that no non-forest land and no other forest area, such as revenue lands not under the state government's administrative authority, are available for compensating afforestation.

An official told the media that this is something that is being considered for new captive coal blocks.

Forest areas that have a canopy density of less than 0.4 are considered degraded. A healthy forest has a canopy density of 0.7 or higher.

According to media sources, plantations in damaged forests will aid in the improvement of degraded forest density. The process of rehabilitating damaged woodlands is been done by forest agencies.

However, captive coal blocks have now raised the issue of a lack of land for compensatory afforestation, therefore this has been taken into account.

The authorisation of the central government to shift forest land for non-forest purposes is contingent on compensatory afforestation.

Meanwhile, the coal ministry assessed the status of allottees of captive coal mines that have begun or are likely to commence production in the current fiscal year (FY) last week.

It was noted that coal output from captive coal blocks increased by roughly 35% to 85 million tonnes (MT) in 2021-22, compared to 63 MT in the previous year 2020-21.

The ministry revealed that increased coal output helped to close the demand-supply imbalance in the domestic market.

Under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, the ministry has assigned 106 coal mining areas, and 47 coal blocks have acquired mine opening approvals. In 2022-23, this is planned to rise to 60 coal blocks.

These steps would substantially decrease coal import requirement, therefore saving foreign exchange.

Image Source

The environment ministry announced that the state-owned companies that manage captive coal mines would now be able to be authorised to conduct compensatory afforestation efforts on degraded forests rather than non-forest land. On a case-by-case basis, the environment ministry's forest conservation division informed that compensatory afforestation over degraded forests of twice the size instead of equivalent non-forest land could be considered for captive coal blocks of state public sector units. To compensate for forest loss due to coal mining, forest conservation guidelines from 2003 stated that such plantings should be grown on non-forest land. Although, such situations would only be considered if the state's chief secretary certifies that no non-forest land and no other forest area, such as revenue lands not under the state government's administrative authority, are available for compensating afforestation. An official told the media that this is something that is being considered for new captive coal blocks. Forest areas that have a canopy density of less than 0.4 are considered degraded. A healthy forest has a canopy density of 0.7 or higher. According to media sources, plantations in damaged forests will aid in the improvement of degraded forest density. The process of rehabilitating damaged woodlands is been done by forest agencies. However, captive coal blocks have now raised the issue of a lack of land for compensatory afforestation, therefore this has been taken into account. The authorisation of the central government to shift forest land for non-forest purposes is contingent on compensatory afforestation. Meanwhile, the coal ministry assessed the status of allottees of captive coal mines that have begun or are likely to commence production in the current fiscal year (FY) last week. It was noted that coal output from captive coal blocks increased by roughly 35% to 85 million tonnes (MT) in 2021-22, compared to 63 MT in the previous year 2020-21. The ministry revealed that increased coal output helped to close the demand-supply imbalance in the domestic market. Under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, the ministry has assigned 106 coal mining areas, and 47 coal blocks have acquired mine opening approvals. In 2022-23, this is planned to rise to 60 coal blocks. These steps would substantially decrease coal import requirement, therefore saving foreign exchange. Image Source

Next Story
Real Estate

Heena Lalwani Buys Rs 1.13 Billion Juhu Apartment

Heena Lalwani, promoter of Aatman Innovations Private Limited, has purchased a luxury apartment worth Rs 1.13 billion in Mumbai’s upscale Juhu locality, according to property registration documents accessed by Zapkey.com.The 9,862 sq ft apartment, located on the 10th floor of Lodha Developers’ Avalon Tower, was acquired at Rs 115,000 per sq ft and comes with five car parking spaces. The deal, registered on 18 August 2025, also included the payment of Rs 68 million in stamp duty and a Rs 30,000 registration fee.Lodha Developers did not respond to queries regarding the transaction, while the..

Next Story
Real Estate

Godrej Buys KPHB Land for Rs 7 Billion in E-Auction

An acre of prime land in Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB), Hyderabad, was auctioned for Rs 7 billion, with the Telangana Housing Board generating Rs 5.47 billion from the sale of 7.8 acres through e-auction on 20 August 2025.The auction notification was issued last month, attracting bids from Godrej Properties, Aurobindo Realty, Prestige Estates, and Ashoka Builders, according to Board vice-chairman V.P. Gautham. With an offset price of Rs 4 billion per acre, the three-hour auction saw 46 bid increases, before Godrej Properties acquired the land.Revenue generated from the auction will be utilis..

Next Story
Real Estate

HMDA to Auction 93 Prime Plots in September

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is preparing to conduct a three-day auction of prime open plots across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts this September.According to official reports, the e-auction will take place on 17, 18, and 19 September, offering 93 plots. Of these, 70 are located in the Bachupally HMDA layout, with the remainder spread across Turkayamjal, Kokapet, Poppalguda, Chandanagar, Bairagiguda, Gandi Maisamma, Suraram, Medipally, and Bachupally village.The highest upset price has been fixed at Rs 175,000 per square yard for a land parce..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?