• 07 Nov 2024

Irregularities in Hasdeo Mining Clearance

Why in News?

The Chhattisgarh State Scheduled Tribe Commission (CSSTC) has identified irregularities in the environmental clearance process for the Parsa coal mine located in Surguja, Chhattisgarh.

• CSSTC has recommended the revocation of forest clearance for this mining project, situated in Hasdeo, a biodiversity-rich region.

Key Points

• About CSSTC:
  • The Chhattisgarh government formed the Tribal Advisory Council to recommend policies related to Scheduled Tribes.
    • Some of the tribes in Chhattisgarh include the Gonds of Bastar, Baiga tribes, Pahari korwa tribes, Abhuj Maria, BisonHorn Maria, Muria, Halbaa, birhors tribes, Bhatra, and Dhurvaa.
  • The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh is the Chairman of the Council, and the Minister of Tribal and Scheduled Caste Development Department is a member.
• Findings of the CSSTC:
  • Irregularities in Environmental Clearance: The Commission discovered that the environmental clearance for the Parsa coal mine, mandated to be obtained only with gram sabha consent, was secured using forged documents.
  • Alleged Misuse of District Administration: The Commission’s letter stated that the mining company allegedly manipulated district officers and employees to obtain environmental clearance and permission for forest land diversion for the coal mine.
    • The Commission highlighted that such actions infringe on the rights of gram sabhas, recognised as autonomous entities under the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
  • Complaint from Tribal Villages: The Commission’s investigation was prompted by a complaint in 2021 from 41 residents of Salhi, Hariharpur, and Fatepur villages, alleging that forged gram sabha documents had been used for the project.
• Demand for Cancellation and Legal Action:
  • Following the CSSTC report, the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan (CBA), which leads anti-mining protests in Hasdeo, called for the cancellation of the mine’s forest and environmental clearances.

Hasdeo Arand Forest

• Hasdeo Arand, a sprawling forest in the northern part of Chhattisgarh is known for its biodiversity and its coal deposits.
• The forest falls under Korba, Sujapur and Surguja districts with significant tribal population.
• The Hasdeo river, a tributary of Mahanadi, flows through it.
• Hasdeo Arand is the largest un-fragmented forest in Central India consisting of pristine Sal (Shorea robusta) and teak forests.
• It is a noted migratory corridor and has a significant presence of elephants.

New Industrial Policy 2024-30

Why in News?

The Chhattisgarh government approved ‘New Industrial Policy 2024-30: Incentives for Industries’ that will seek to promote sectors ranging from food processing to IT and IT-enabled services.

Key Points

• New Industrial Policy Provisions:
  • The new industrial policy introduces several incentives to promote investment, such as, Interest subsidy, Capital cost subsidy, Stamp duty and Electricity duty exemption, Value-added tax (VAT) reimbursement.
  • Additional Subsidies and Exemptions are:
    • Mandi duty exemption
    • Employment subsidies for employing persons with disabilities (Divyang)
    • Subsidies for environmental projects
    • Transport subsidies
    • Reimbursement of net State Goods and Services Tax (SGST)
  • The policy places strong emphasis on generating employment opportunities within the state.
• Investment Promotion in Nava Raipur (Atal Nagar):
  • Allocation of land at concessional rates for IT, healthcare, and educational institutions were announced as special provisions for Strategic Development to boost investment and job creation in Nava Raipur (Atal Nagar).
• Revival of the Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana:
  • The Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana, which was suspended in 2019, will be reintroduced. The scheme provides free travel to religious sites outside the state for eligible groups:
    • Senior citizens aged 60 and above
    • Differently-abled individuals
    • Widows and abandoned women
• Implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:
  • The Cabinet has decided to implement the NEP 2020 in the state, aiming to provide students with a modern, flexible, and high-quality education system.
  • Additional resources will be allocated to enhance research and innovation, with a focus on building a more skilled workforce to meet industry needs.

MP-Rajasthan Joint Panel on Cheetah Conservation

Why in News?

Following recent incidents of cheetahs from Madhya Pradesh straying into Rajasthan, a joint corridor management committee has been established by both states to support cheetah conservation.

Key Points

• About the Joint Corridor Management Committee:
  • The committee will assess suitable areas for the future relocation of cheetahs from Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park (KNP) and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.
    • Recommendations will include habitat improvements, particularly for the pre-augmentation base.
  • The committee will evaluate options for joint tourist routes, potentially covering border areas like the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, KNP, and Ranthambore National Park.
• Cheetah Reintroduction Project in KNP:
  • As part of the reintroduction project, eight cheetahs from Namibia were brought to KNP in September 2022, followed by twelve cheetahs from South Africa in February 2023.
    • The initiative aims to restore the cheetah population, which was declared extinct in India in 1952.
  • However, since its inception, the project has faced numerous challenges, including the deaths of many adult cheetahs and the mortalities of cubs reported over the past two years.
    • As of now, KNP is home to 24 cheetahs, including cubs.

Kuno National Park (KNP)

• KNP which is located in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district is home to several cheetahs translocated from Namibia and South Africa.
• It was initially established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1981 and later designated as a national park in 2018.

Missing Tigers in Ranthambore National Park

Why in News?

According to Rajasthan's Chief Wildlife Warden, tigers in Ranthambore National Park (RNP) have gone missing since 2023.

Key Points

• Ranthambore National Park is currently home to 75 tigers, including cubs, within a 900-square-kilometer area, resulting in territorial conflicts.
  • According to a Wildlife Institute of India study (2006-2014), the park can sustainably support approximately 40 adult tigers.
• This recent incident marks the first instance of such a high number of tigers being officially reported as missing in a single year.
  • Efforts to reduce pressure on the park by relocating villages from buffer zones have been sluggish, with the most recent relocation occurring in 2016.
• Ranthambore National Park:
  • Location:
    • It lies in the eastern part of Rajasthan state in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts, at the junction of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges.
    • It was declared a Tiger reserve in 1973.
  • Parks and Sanctuaries Included:
    • It comprises of the Sawai Mansingh and Keladevi Sanctuaries.
  • Vegetation:
    • The forest type is mainly tropical dry deciduous with ‘dhak’ (Butea monsoperma), a species of tree capable of withstanding long periods of drought, being the commonest.
  • Wildlife:
    • The park is rich in wildlife with tigers at the apex of the food chain in mammals.
    • Other animals found here are leopards, striped hyenas, common or hanuman langurs, rhesus macaques, jackals, jungle cats, caracals, blackbuck, Blacknaped hare and chinkara, etc.

Uttarakhand Livability Improvement Project

Why in News?

Recently, the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a USD 200 million loan to enhance urban services in Uttarakhand, including water supply, sanitation, and urban mobility.

• The European Investment Bank is co-financing the project with a USD 191 million parallel investment to further support urban infrastructure enhancements.

Key Points

• Objectives of the Project:
  • The project aligns with India’s urban development agenda and Uttarakhand’s goals to improve urban services, aiming for greater livability and sustainability in cities.
  • It will focus on building climate- and disaster-resilient urban infrastructure to safeguard Uttarakhand’s population from risks like floods and landslides.
• Initiatives Included under the Project:
  • Key Upgrades in Haldwani- Economic Hub of Uttarakhand:
    • In Haldwani, climate-resilient roads will be developed, along with an intelligent traffic management system, CNG buses, and electric bus pilots.
    • The project includes constructing stormwater and roadside drains and implementing an early warning system for improved flood resilience.
    • A green-certified administrative complex and bus terminal will enhance public service delivery.
  • Water Supply and Sanitation Improvements in Four Cities:
    • In Champawat, Kichha, Kotdwar, and Vikasnagar, the project aims for 100% water service coverage, installing climate-resilient pipelines, tubewells, new reservoirs, and a water treatment plant.
    • Sanitation coverage will be increased through sewage treatment facilities.
  • Women's Empowerment and Livelihood Opportunities:
    • The project will provide skill training for women such as bus driving, ticketing, and managing electric charging stations.
    • The project will train women, including those from vulnerable households, in operating and managing water and sanitation services.

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

• ADB is a multilateral development bank established in 1966 with a mission to foster economic growth and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region.
• It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines, and has 69 members.
• It is governed by a board of governors and funded through member contributions, retained earnings from lending, and loan repayments.

European Investment Bank (EIB)

• It was established in 1958 and is the lending arm of the European Union.
• It is one of the biggest multilateral financial institutions in the world and one of the largest providers of climate finance.
• Since 1993, EIB has been supporting India’s evolving green ambitions by investing in sustainable urban transport and renewable energy.