Madhya Pradesh

• 27 Jan 2025

NMDC to Extract Diamonds Near Tiger Reserve

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: 
  • Located in the Vindhyan mountain range in northern Madhya Pradesh. 
  • Covers an area of 542 sq.km. 
  • The only Tiger Reserve in the Bundelkhand region. 
  • Declared a Tiger Reserve by the Government of India under Project Tiger in 1994. 
• 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.