In November 2024, the Union Ministry of Mines granted Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL), a subsidiary of Vedanta, the rights to mine tungsten in the Nayakkarpatti area of Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. This decision has faced significant opposition from the Tamil Nadu government, environmentalists, and local communities due to concerns over environmental degradation and the potential impact on the Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has been vocal in his opposition, stating unequivocally that the state government will not permit tungsten mining in the region. He emphasized that such activities could irreparably damage the area’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Stalin urged the Union government to cancel the mining rights awarded to HZL and to refrain from granting any mining licenses without the state’s consent.
On December 9, 2024, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Union government to revoke the tungsten mining rights granted to HZL. The resolution highlighted that the proposed mining site is near Arittapatti, the state’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site, and expressed concerns about the potential adverse effects on local livelihoods and the environment.
In response to the state’s concerns and public protests, the Union Ministry of Mines has requested the Tamil Nadu government to withhold the issuance of the Letter of Intent to HZL. The Ministry has also directed the Geological Survey of India to explore the possibility of redefining the block boundary to exclude the biodiversity heritage site.
The situation underscores the ongoing tension between development initiatives and environmental conservation, with the Tamil Nadu government firmly prioritizing the protection of its ecological and cultural assets.
