Tensions Rise as Tree Felling in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo Arand Restarts Amid Protests

Tree felling for the PEKB Phase-II coal mine in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo Arand resumed amid protests from local villagers. Despite strong resistance and allegations of unlawful detainment, the exercise proceeded under heavy police presence. Activists condemned the government for ignoring local opposition and continuing deforestation efforts.

Tree felling for the PEKB Phase-II coal mine in the biodiversity-rich Hasdeo Arand region of Chhattisgarh's Surguja district restarted on Friday, sparking protests from local villagers.

A significant number of police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order in the area.

Activists allege that police detained more than 100 villagers who were protesting against coal mining in the ecologically sensitive Hasdeo area, a charge denied by law enforcement officials.

The PEKB mine has been allotted to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RRVUNL), a state PSU.

'On Friday, tree felling commenced in 32 hectares out of the proposed 74.130 hectares of forest land for the PEKB phase-II mine in the Udaipur development block of Surguja district. So far, 3,694 trees have been chopped, and felling of the remaining trees is underway,' a state forest department statement read.

Due to the sensitivity of the area, a joint team of district police, local administration, and forest officials was formed to carry out the tree felling peacefully. Residents near the mine area attempted to obstruct the exercise but were persuaded to avoid causing hindrances, according to the statement.

The first phase of coal mining in 762 hectares of land in the PEKB block, allotted to RRVUNL in 2007, began in 2013 after final approval in 2012 by the Union Ministry of Forest and Climate Change. Mining in that phase has been completed. The Union ministry authorized the use of 1,136 hectares of forest land for PEKB phase-II (Surguja) in 2022, the statement noted.

RRVUNL has been granted permission to cut 10,944 trees standing in an area of 74.130 hectares of forest land for the 10th year of the project by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Production) of Chhattisgarh on August 21 this year, followed by approval from the Chief Conservator of Forests, Surguja Forest Division, the next day on August 22.

Local villagers under the banner of the Hasdeo Arand Bachao Sangharsh Samiti have protested against the mine allotment for several years. Despite past attempts to start the tree cutting, strong opposition from local residents halted progress.

Alok Shukla, Convener of the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan (CBA), criticized the state government for resuming tree cutting efforts for PEKB phase two.

'Local gram sabhas (village councils) have not consented to coal mining in the area. The Chhattisgarh assembly unanimously passed a 2022 resolution against mining in the Hasdeo area. Instead of honoring that resolution, the newly-elected BJP government launched the tree cutting exercise with heavy security,' Shukla said.

He claimed that protesting villagers were detained by police.

'We strongly condemn the action and demand an immediate end to the deforestation exercise,' Shukla added. He accused the state government of depriving tribal communities of their rights to benefit corporations.

Surguja Superintendent of Police Yogesh Patel denied detaining villagers, stating that they were moved as a precaution while the tree felling exercise continued.