Chhattisgarh State PCS

• 22 Jul 2024

Mining in Kete Extension Coal Block

Why in News?

The Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) has issued a circular to organize a public consultation for the Parsa East-Kente Basan (PEKB), Parsa and Kete Extension coal block projects in the Hasdeo Arand region.

Key Points

• While some villagers support the project, citing potential development benefits, others have raised concerns.
  • The Lemru elephant reserve, established in 2021, has a mining project area within a 10-kilometre radius of the reserve. With mining, the region will witness increased human-elephant conflict.
• According to the sources, the public hearing will proceed on 2nd August 2024, as it is a mandatory process for securing environmental clearance.

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.

Lemru Elephant Reserve

• The reserve is located in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh.
• The reserve is aiming at reducing human-animal conflict and destruction of property in addition to providing a permanent habitat to the elephants.
• Earlier, the state government notified the reserve (Conservation Reserve) in October 2020 under Section 36A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA).
  • Section 36A has a special provision that gives the Union government a say in the process of notification in case the land to be notified as conservation reserve has areas belonging to the Centre.
  • Elephant reserves are not recognised under the WLPA.