Halt Forest Clearance for Coal Project in Hasdeo Arand Region
BRINDA Karat, senior CPI(M) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP, has written to Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, on August 6, demanding immediate intervention to halt the clearance granted by the Chhattisgarh Forest department to the Kente Extension Coal Project. The project, she warned, would lead to the destruction of 1,742 hectares of dense forest land in the Hasdeo Arand region.
This project, which is part of the larger Hasdeo-Arand region coal project, was given to a Rajasthan government owned power utility. The former Rajasthan government had set up a joint venture with Adani Enterprises called Parsa Kente Collieries Limited, where Adani holds a 74 per cent stake. This company was appointed the Mine Developer cum Operator of the Hasdeo-Parsa coal project. Records have shown that a substantial amount of coal mined under this venture has been diverted to the private company's power projects in the name of use of 'rejected coal'. These facts are relevant since the reasoning given for the clearance of the Kente Extension Coal Project is of 'public interest'. There is no public interest involved, only the exploitation of mineral resources for private gain.
Brinda Karat warned that the project, if implemented, will add further disaster to the already badly affected areas where mining is being done. According to the official inspection report, at least 4.5 lakh trees are going to be felled. These are in the dense forest, which is full of indigenous trees critical for carbon sequestration. Open cast mining in this region has already destroyed thousands of trees, polluted the waters, and the ground soil.
She pointed out that these projects are being taken up ignoring the opinions of the gram sabhas involved and the provisions of the constitution and legal frameworks that make consent of the gram sabhas mandatory. Open cast mining affects a very large geographical area beyond the actual project. So even though human habitation in this specific area is negligible, many villages
outside the area will be deeply affected. Earlier, more than 1500 written objections from local communities were given to the government. But these have been ignored.
She wrote, “I would like to remind you of your statement a few months ago, when, commenting on the Forest Survey of India report you had said that ‘forest cover is lost due to titles being given under the FRA, 2006. Stringent protection measures are required.’ (Hindustan Times, June 5). We had protested against that statement and pointed out that forest cover was being lost because of so-called development projects. Stringent protection measures are indeed required-to protect our forests from being destroyed by private mining projects in the name of development. It is the adivasis of this region who have once again by their resistance to the project and their
efforts to save the trees and the destruction of nature proved that it is they who are the real protectors of forests in India.”
Brinda Karat concluded by saying, “It is surely your responsibility as the Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, to save the forests and the wanton felling of
trees and the destruction of a rich bio-diverse area, over the interests of a private company.”
