The Coal Ministry says revised boundaries place the Tara block outside the Lemru Elephant Corridor. The decision has sparked a fierce political clash between the Congress and BJP in Chhattisgarh.

  • Tara block deemed outside Lemru Elephant Corridor
  • Congress accuses the government of ecocide
  • BJP questions Congress’s earlier mining approvals

The Union Coal Ministry clarified that the Tara coal block, initially listed for auction in 2023, was withdrawn after the Chhattisgarh government requested exclusion of blocks located in the Hasdeo‑Arand area. On December 11, 2025, the state sent a letter stating that the block lies outside the Lemru Elephant Corridor and can be offered in the next auction phase.

Historical Background

In 2022, the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly unanimously opposed new coal blocks in the Hasdeo‑Arand region. The then‑Congress state government told the Supreme Court in 2023 that no new mines were needed. Yet on September 10, 2026, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh warned that mining Tara could clear over 4,000 acres of dense forest and cut more than one million trees, threatening the Lemru Elephant Reserve’s corridor and endangered species.

Read Also:Innovative Biochar Project Aimed at Restoring Elephant Habitats in Assam

BJP’s Counter‑Claim

Saurabh Singh, senior BJP leader and Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC), asserted that the Congress paved the way for mining. He cited a June 2021 request by former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel to the Union Coal Minister for allocation of the Tara block to CMDC. Singh also claimed that the then‑UPA government cleared the path, despite the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) not recommending the Tara and Parsa East & Kete Basan (PEKB) projects. He accused former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh of granting clearance in 2011 and now opposing the same project.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the tug‑of‑war between central and state political parties over natural‑resource allocation not only influences regional economies but also sets precedents for environmental governance across India.

"If the revised boundaries are not transparently documented, it risks undermining public trust in both environmental and mineral policies," says Dr. Anjali Mehta, environmental policy expert.
Did You Know?: The Lemru Elephant Reserve is one of India’s largest continuous elephant migration corridors, supporting roughly 300 elephants each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the current status of the Tara coal block?

A: According to the ministry, the block is now considered outside the Lemru Elephant Corridor and can be offered in the upcoming auction phase.

Q2: What could be the environmental impact of mining this block?

A: If the block truly lies outside the corridor, forest loss and disruption to elephant movement may be reduced, but a detailed environmental impact assessment is still required.