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State diverts 937 hectares of forest land in Gadchiroli for steel plant
The Maharashtra government said it secured approval to divert 937 hectares of reserved and protected forest land in Gadchiroli to LMEL for expanding its steel operations. LMEL has been mining and producing steel in Gadchiroli since 2023 and plans to use the land for low-grade iron ore extraction. The approval comes with conditions outlined in a state government order.
Why It Matters
The land diversion involves converting forest land for industrial use and expands a steel project in a sensitive, Naxal-affected district, raising environmental and social considerations.
Timeline
5 Events
Order sets condition: wildlife clearance not required; withdrawal if hindrances
May 3, 2026
The order directs that wildlife clearance is not required for the project and states that if LMEL does not provide free access or creates hindrances, permission for the land diversion will be withdrawn.
Final approval to divert forest land granted to LMEL
May 3, 2026
A state government order states that the Union ministry of environment, forests & climate change has given final approval to divert 937.077 hectares of forest land in Gadchiroli in favour of Lloyds Metals And Energy Limited for the project.
February 2025: CM announces Gadchiroli green steel hub plan
February 2025
In February 2025, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an ambitious plan to develop Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district as the “green steel hub of India.”
LMEL states expansion to convert iron ore to steel in Hedri
2025
A few months after the February 2025 plan, LMEL said it wanted to implement a massive expansion plan to convert iron ore into steel in Hedri, Gadchiroli.
LMEL says it needs 937 hectares of forest land for expansion
2024
LMEL stated in 2024 that it needed 937 hectares of reserved forest and protected forest land in Gadchiroli for its expansion plans to mine low-grade iron ore. LMEL has been operating a 700-hectare plant in Gadchiroli since 2023.