The Chhattisgarh Model of Green Development and Economic Prosperity

Raipur, October 23

Chhattisgarh is a name that is no longer merely synonymous with greenery and culture, but has also established its identity as the Mineral Capital of India. A large part of the country’s total mineral reserves is hidden in the land of Chhattisgarh. This is why the contribution of minerals to the state’s economy is constantly increasing, and the share of the mineral sector in the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has reached nearly 10 percent. At the time of the state’s formation, the mineral revenue was ₹429 crore, which has now increased to ₹14,592 crore. The state’s mineral revenue has increased 34-fold in 25 years. This achievement of Chhattisgarh state is particularly remarkable while maintaining forest and environmental balance.
It is also noteworthy here that under the Forest Conservation Act, only 28,700 hectares of land has been allocated for mining in Chhattisgarh state since 1980, which is 0.47 percent of the state’s forest area (59.82 lakh hectares) and 0.21 percent of the state’s total land area (135 lakh hectares). Due to the mandatory requirement of 5 to 10 times the afforestation to compensate for cutting in the mining area, the state’s forest area has seen an increase of 68,362 hectares, which is the highest in the country according to the India State of Forest Report.
Mineral revenue not only provides economic support to the state but also opens new avenues of employment for thousands of youths. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is crafting a new definition of “Development from Minerals” by linking the exploitation of mineral wealth with environmental balance and public interest.
Among the main minerals of Chhattisgarh, important Coal is the largest source of energy. Chhattisgarh is the second-largest coal-producing state in the country. The state has a coal reserve of 74,192 million tonnes, which is approximately 20.53 percent of the country’s coal reserve. Chhattisgarh state’s share in national coal production is 20.73 percent. Chhattisgarh holds the second position among coal-producing states in the country. The state’s coal is used in thermal power plants, cement, steel, and coal-based medium and small industries. Chhattisgarh’s contribution to energy sector self-reliance is important for the entire country.
Iron Ore is the backbone of the country’s steel industry, and it is abundant in Chhattisgarh. The mountain ranges stretching from Kawardha to Dalli Rajhara and on to Dantewada’s Bailadila have an iron ore reserve of 4,592 million tonnes, which is 19.09 percent of the national reserve. Chhattisgarh’s contribution to national production is 16.64 percent. NMDC’s Bailadila mines (Dantewada) and Dalli-Rajhara mines (Balod) are the lifelines of the country’s steel industries. High-quality iron ore is supplied from here to the Bhilai Steel Plant and industries across the country. Chhattisgarh holds the second position in iron ore production in the country.
Chhattisgarh has a Bauxite reserve of 992 million tonnes, which is 20 percent of the country’s total. Chhattisgarh’s contribution to national production is 4.3 percent. Companies like Hindalco, Vedanta, and CMDC are active in Surguja, Balrampur, and Kabirdham districts. Aluminum, which is produced from Bauxite, is crucial for the energy, construction, and defense industries.
Limestone is the backbone of the cement industry. The state has a limestone reserve of 13,211 million tonnes, which is 5.8 percent of the country’s total reserve. Chhattisgarh’s contribution to national production is 11 percent. Plants like Ultratech, ACC, Ambuja, Shree Cement, and Grasim are operating in the districts of Balodabazar, Raipur, Janjgir-Champa, and Raigarh. Balodabazar is now referred to as the ‘Cement Hub’.
100 percent of the country’s Tin production takes place in Chhattisgarh. A reserve of 30 million tonnes of tin ore, which is of strategic importance, is available here. This mineral, found in Dantewada and Sukma, is extremely important for the electronics and defense industries. The State Government has implemented a provision for its purchase through cooperative societies of Scheduled Tribes.
The state has a Dolomite reserve of 992 million tonnes, which is 20 percent of the national reserve. It is mainly found in the districts of Raipur, Durg, Bemetara, Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa, and Raigarh. This mineral is useful as a flux material in the steel industry. Certified reserves of Diamond exist in the Beheradih and Pailikhand regions of Gariaband district. Besides a gold reserve of 2780 kilograms in the Sonakhan area of Balodabazar district, possibilities of Gold and Diamond minerals have also been found in Jashpur, Mahasamund, and Kanker districts.
Minor Minerals also play a significant role in Chhattisgarh. Approximately 37 types of minor minerals such as sand, murram (gravel/kankar), building stone, ordinary soil, low-grade limestone, dolomite, and granite are excavated in almost every district. Sand and soil are widely used in the construction of roads, buildings, and bridges. Minor minerals contribute a large share of local revenue, employment, and Panchayat funds to the state. District Panchayats and Municipal Bodies receive hundreds of crores of rupees in annual revenue from these minerals, which accelerates rural development works. Along with mineral development, the State Government has given special attention to environmental conservation and the rehabilitation of mining-affected areas. Schemes like education, health, drinking water, and roads are being operated through the DMF (District Mineral Foundation).
The example of balance between mineral development and environmental conservation presented by Chhattisgarh has today become a Sustainable Growth Model for the entire country. Here, development and greenery are not adversarial but complementary.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Chhattisgarh has proved that if there is foresight in policy and sensitivity in implementation, mineral wealth can be reflected not only in the depths of the earth but also in the prosperity of people’s lives.