The Maharashtra Forest Department has granted permission to the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) to conduct a 3D seismic survey for hydrocarbon exploration over 15,212.8 hectares of forest land in the Dhule and Nandurbar districts of northern Maharashtra.

ONGC’s Dehradun-based Geophysical Services and Frontier Basins division will drill 4,754 holes — 32 per sq. km, each 2.95 inches in diameter, to study the earth’s surface and identify potential petrol and natural gas deposits using seismic waves. According to an order issued by undersecretary Ganesh Jadhao, the legal status of the forest land will remain unchanged. The local deputy conservator of forests (DCF) must ensure the project does not disturb protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, nature reserves, or tiger reserves.

Drilling is restricted to pre-designated areas near forest paths and requires permission from a local forest officer for using vehicles or tractor-mounted drilling equipment. The ONGC must ensure no trees are cut, and all drilled holes must be filled after the project concludes. The permission does not confer any claim over the land.