Rajasthan: In-principle clearance for coal block in Hasdeo-Arand, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) granted in-principle forest clearance for the Kente Extension coal block in Hasdeo-Arand, Chhattisgarh.
• This clearance allows the diversion of 1,742.6 hectares of forest land for mining.
• The coal block is allotted to the Rajasthan government and will be mined by the Adani Group.
• The decision was made despite a 2021 biodiversity assessment by WII and ICFRE recommending against mining in the area, except for existing operations.
• The project involves felling 4.48 lakh trees, with compensatory afforestation approved over 130.6 hectares of non-forest land and 4,450.326 hectares of degraded forest land.

Detailed Insights:

• The Hasdeo-Arand region, spanning 1.75 lakh hectares across Korba, Surguja, and Surajpur districts, is known for its dense Sal forests and rich biodiversity.
• It was previously earmarked as a "no-go zone" for mining by the UPA government due to its ecological sensitivity.
• The area is a crucial habitat for Schedule-I species like leopards, sloth bears, and elephants, and is a catchment for the Hasdeo River and Bango Dam.
• The coal extracted from the Kente Extension coal block will be used by Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) to feed its Chhabra and Suratgarh coal plants.
• The in-principle clearance, issued on June 9, mandates mining in two phases, with the first phase restricted to 1,001.95 hectares for 15 years.
• The Chhattisgarh government is directed to implement a site-specific wildlife management plan, funded by RVUNL, based on the WII/ICFRE recommendations.
• Environmental and tribal rights concerns regarding the project have been raised by the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan.

Key Concepts Involved:

• In-principle forest clearance: A provisional approval granted under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, for diverting forest land for non-forest purposes.
• Hasdeo-Arand: An ecologically sensitive and biodiverse forest region in Chhattisgarh, known for its dense forests and elephant corridors.
• Compensatory Afforestation: The process of planting new trees in degraded forest land or non-forest land to compensate for forest land diverted for development projects.
• Schedule-I Species: Wildlife species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which are accorded the highest level of protection.