NMDC to Extract Diamonds Near Tiger Reserve | 27 Jan 2025

Why in News? 

India's National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) plans to extract 6,500 carats of diamonds, valued at USD 3.4 million, from ores in a mine near Panna tiger reserve. 

 Key Points 

  • Delays in Mining Operations: 
    • NMDC faced delays in obtaining environmental clearances, halting mining at the Panna mine in Madhya Pradesh for over three years due to its proximity to the tiger reserve. 
    • The Supreme Court later allowed NMDC to resume mining operations, subject to certain guidelines, enabling the company to restart its work at the mine. 
  • Diamond Extraction: 
    • Since resuming operations, NMDC has extracted 3,700 carats of diamonds, valued at USD 1.93 million. 
  • About the Panna Mine: 
    • The Panna mine spans 275.96 hectares (681.91 acres) and began operations in the early 1970s. 
    • It is the only mechanized diamond mine in India. 
  • Diamond Mining in Madhya Pradesh: 
    • Madhya Pradesh is one of Asia’s major diamond mining regions. 
    • Global and domestic companies have faced challenges in mining diamonds at the Bunder project, near the Panna reserve. 

 Panna Tiger Reserve 

  • About: 
  • Landscape: 
    • The reserve features a 'Table Top' topography. 
    • It includes extensive plateaus and gorges. 
    • The Ken River flows from south to north through the reserve. 
    • The area also contains two-thousand-year-old rock paintings. 
  • Flora: 
    • Dominated by dry deciduous forests interspersed with grasslands. 
    • In the north, the reserve is surrounded by teak forests. 
    • To the east, it is bordered by Teak-Kardhai mixed forests. 
  • Fauna: 
    • The reserve is home to a significant population of tigers, sloth bears, leopards, and striped hyenas. 
    • Other notable carnivores include jackals, wolves, wild dogs, jungle cats, and the rusty spotted cat. 
    • The Vindhya Hill ranges, running from NE to SW, help connect the eastern and western populations of wildlife.