Congress joins tribals in protest against coal mine expansion in Hasdeo Arand, Chhattisgarh

Save Hasdeo Arand: Amidst growing concerns over environmental impact, Chhattisgarh Congress Chief Deepak Baij raised allegations against the newly-elected BJP government, asserting that corporate interests are being favoured at the cost of ecological balance in the biodiverse Hasdeo Arand area due to coal mining projects.

Allegations of Environmental Exploitation

Baij, alongside numerous Congress workers, stood in solidarity with villagers in Hariharpur, Surguja district, protesting against ongoing coal mine projects. The Hasdeo-Arand coalfield, sprawling over 1,878 sq km in Korba, Surguja, and Surajpur districts, is renowned as the 'lungs of Chhattisgarh' for its thriving forest cover.

Corporate Interests Over Ecology

Accusing the BJP government of privileging corporate entities, Baij highlighted concerns about tree felling in Hasdeo Arand for coal mine extensions. He referenced a statement made by Rahul Gandhi during the previous year's election campaign, implying the BJP's alignment with corporate interests, specifically mentioning the Adani Group.

Disputes and Accusations

Baij vehemently opposed Chief Minister Sai's assertion attributing tree felling permissions to the previous Congress government, stating that the approvals were granted under the Modi administration. He emphasised that the Congress government had rescinded these approvals, expressing discontent at the subsequent deforestation.

Past Efforts and Current Crisis

Citing previous initiatives taken by the Congress-led administration, Baij highlighted a letter written to the Centre urging a ban on mining activities in the Hasdeo area. Despite efforts by the Chhattisgarh assembly and administrative authorities, Baij claimed that substantial tree loss has occurred since the BJP assumed power.

Ongoing Environmental Impact

Recent tree felling activities related to the Parsa East and Kete Basan (PEKB) phase-II extension coal mine in Hasdeo Arand have sparked widespread concerns. Despite police security cover, protests continue against the tree felling for the PEKB-II extension, allocated to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL) under Adani Group's management.

The controversy surrounding coal mining expansion in the ecologically sensitive Hasdeo Arand area remains a contentious issue, prompting continued protests and debates over environmental preservation versus industrial development.