Coal block in Hasdeo Aranya

• 27 Jul 2022

Why In News?

• On July 26, 2022, the Chhattisgarh Assembly unanimously passed the non-official resolution to cancel the coal block allotted in Hasdeo Aranya area submitted by Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) MLA Dharamjit Singh.

Key Points

• In the Assembly, MLA Dharamjit Singh said that There is a coal reserve of 57 thousand million tonnes in Chhattisgarh. Even in 50 years, only 25% can be mined.
• It is worth mentioning that about 2,22,921 trees are to be cut for Parsa East and Kete Basen coal mines and about 99,107 trees for Parsa coal mines which are currently approved for coal mining in Hasdeo Aranya area.
• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the Chhattisgarh government has given 1995 sq.km. Lemru Elephant Reserve has been declared in the area. A demand has been made to the Center to ban the coal block attached to it.
• It is worth mentioning that the coal block extension is being done in Hasdeo Aranya. Coal block has been allotted to a power company of Rajasthan. The NOC of the coal block was stuck for a long time. The NOC was issued by the Chhattisgarh Forest Department after the arrival of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Chhattisgarh.
• At the same time, the MD of the power company of Rajasthan had come to Chhattisgarh recently. He had met the Chief Secretary and collectors and urged them to start mining at a lower pace. Hasdeo Aranya's case has also reached the High Court and the Supreme Court. At the same time, 'Save Hasdeo Campaign' is also being run to save the forests of Hasdeo.