**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 36 regarding the 'Kente Extension' coal block project in Chhattisgarh, to be answered on February 2, 2026. The question concerns the approval of forest land diversion, the impact on biodiversity, objections from local Gram Sabhas, and potential violations of legislative resolutions. The Central Government has not granted prior approval for the project and has sought additional information from the State Government.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Forest Land Diversion Approval:**
* The Central Government has not granted prior approval under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 for the diversion of 1742 hectares of forest land for the 'Kente Extension' coal block in the Hasdeo Arand field of Chhattisgarh.
* **Proposal Submission:**
* The State Government submitted a proposal for the diversion of 1742.60 ha of forest land for the Kente Extension Opencast Coal Mine to the Ministry on the PARIVESH portal on November 25, 2025.
* **Objections from Local Gram Sabhas:**
* As per information received from the Government of Chhattisgarh, no objections have been received from local Gram Sabha against this proposal.
* **Prior Approval Status:**
* The Central Government has not accorded any prior approval for diversion of forest land for the said proposal.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Chhattisgarh**
* **Impact:** The State Government is responsible for submitting the proposal and providing information to the Ministry.
* **Action Required:** The State Government needs to provide additional information requested by the Ministry regarding the proposal for forest land diversion.
**Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change**
* **Impact:** The Ministry is responsible for reviewing the proposal and making a decision on whether to grant approval for forest land diversion.
* **Action Required:** The Ministry needs to examine the additional information provided by the State Government and make a decision on the proposal.
**Local Gram Sabhas**
* **Impact:** Gram Sabhas are directly affected by the project.
* **Action Required:** No action is required as no objections have been reported. If impacted by the project, they may need to submit any objections or proposals.
Key Entities Referenced
Kente Extension Coal Block Project: Proposed coal mining project in the Hasdeo Arand field of Chhattisgarh, involving the diversion of forest land.
Chhattisgarh: Indian state where the proposed Kente Extension Coal Block Project is located.
Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980: Forest (Conservation and Augmentation) Act, the relevant law under which the Central Government's approval is needed for diverting forest land.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The central ministry responsible for decisions regarding environmental clearances for the Kente Extension Coal Block Project.
Gram Sabha: Local village assembly whose consent is sought for the Kente Extension Coal Block Project.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 36
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
Kente Extension Coal Block Project
*36. SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has granted approval to the diversion of 1742 hectares of forest
land for the 'Kente Extension' coal block in the Hasdeo Arand field of Chhattisgarh
recently, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the estimated number of trees likely to be cut due to the said project and its likely impact
on the local biodiversity and elephant corridors;
(c) whether the Government has received objections and proposals from local Gram Sabhas
against this project; and
(d) whether the said approval violates the unanimous resolution passed by the Legislative
Assembly of Chhattisgarh in the year 2022 to prevent mining in Hasdeo?
ANSWER
MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)
(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 36 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026 ON “KENTE
EXTENSION COAL BLOCK PROJECT ” BY SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS
MAHANT:
(a) The Central Government has not granted any prior approval under the Van (Sanrakshan
Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 for diversion of 1742 hectares of forest land for the
'Kente Extension' coal block in the Hasdeo Arand field of Chhattisgarh.
(b) A proposal was submitted by the State Government for diversion of 1742.60 ha of forest
for Kente Extension Opencast Coal Mine, to the Ministry in the PARIVESH portal on
25.11.2025. The Ministry examined the proposal and sought further information from the State
Government.
(c) As per the information received from the Government of Chhattisgarh, so far no objections
have been received from local Gram Sabha against this proposal.
(d) The Central Government has not accorded any prior approval for diversion of forest land
for the said proposal.
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