Coal mining projects banned in Chhattisgarh after minister’s protest, CM Baghel gave this reaction

The Chhattisgarh government has put on hold three proposed coal mine projects allotted to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL) in Hasdeo Arand forest of Surguja region. The officials of Surguja region gave this information. Local people and environmental activists of the Hasdeo Arand region are opposing the coal mining projects. The agitators say that mining in the biodiversity-rich and ecologically sensitive Hasdeo Arand region will not only displace the tribals but will destroy the environment on a large scale. Along with this, human-elephant conflict will also increase in the area.

Minister TS Singhdev came in support of the protesters

During the protest, State Health Minister TS Singhdeo had on June 6 visited Hasdeo Arand area in support of the local people and said that he would be the first to face it if bullets or sticks were fired against the protesters. Reacting to his statement the very next day, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had said that if Singhdev did not want trees to be cut for coal mine projects, not a single branch would be cut.

Confirming the suspension of mining projects, Surguja District Magistrate Sanjeev Jha said, “Three upcoming projects – Phase II of Parsa, Parsa East and Kante Basan (PEKB) and Kante Extension Coal Mine which are in various phases before the commencement of the mine. It has been put on hold till further orders.” Jha said, “This decision has been taken after the minister and local MLA Singhdeo came out in support of the protesters. After this, the Chief Minister had said that if the minister does not want to do so, then not a single branch will be cut.

The District Magistrate said, “The Gram Sabha to be held on June 8 for the rehabilitation of the villagers affected by the second phase of PEKB project has been canceled. Similarly, the public hearing to be held on June 13 for the environmental clearance of Kante Extension has also been cancelled. Apart from legal procedures, felling of trees for Phase II of PEKB and Parsa coal mine has also been stopped.

Jha said that all the three mines have been allotted to RRVUNL and Adani Group is associated with it as MDO (Mine Developer and Operator). He said that the mines where work is going on in the area will continue to work. The state government had recently given final approval for the Parsa mine and PEKB’s Phase II coal mining projects.