logo
Chhattisgarh recommends Hasdeo forestland diversion for mining, triggers row

Chhattisgarh recommends Hasdeo forestland diversion for mining, triggers row

Hindustan Times6 days ago
Chhattisgarh has recommended 1,742 hectares of forest land diversion in the Hasdeo Aranya, one of India's last remaining old-growth forests in the state's Surguja district, for coal mining in the Kente extension coal block, triggering a political row over ecological concerns. Hasdeo Aranya is one of India's last remaining old-growth forests. (HT PHOTO)
An official said that the Sarguja divisional forest officer recommended the diversion on June 26, following a site inspection, and the proposed move could result in the felling of over 600,000 trees.
Environmental groups, the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan and Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, condemned the move and demanded its immediate withdrawal, citing a 2022 assembly resolution to halt coal mining in Hasdeo.
Forest rights activist Alok Shukla said that the proposed mining site within the Chornai River's catchment area is around three kilometers from the Lemru Elephant Reserve. He said experts have cited the region's ecological sensitivity and warned of heightened human-elephant conflict if mining activities were allowed. 'The Wildlife Institute of India has recommended a moratorium on mining in the area, citing biodiversity and conflict concerns.'
A forest officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, defended the diversion, saying it was part of a process following the mine allocation.
In May, the Union government's Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), which assesses environmental impacts of development projects, recommended clearance for the Kente extension project. The forest clearance process is a mandatory step before final approval.
Residents submitted 1,623 written objections during the public hearing for the project's environmental clearance. Activists allege the EAC ignored them while recommending clearance without due consideration of public concerns.
In October last year, HT reported the coal ministry planned to acquire 1,760 hectares in Surguja for mining, 98% of which is protected forest area. The ministry issued a notice in a Raipur newspaper in this regard on October 15. It said that Kente extension has an estimated 200 million tonnes of coal.
Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel criticised the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the diversion move. He accused it of enabling corporate interests, particularly of Adani Enterprises, the mine developer and operator for Rajasthan's state power utility.
There was no immediate response from Adani Enterprises to HT's queries on the row.
Baghel said the BJP government, which launched the 'One Tree in Mother's Name' campaign, is permitting the destruction of forests. 'The Kente extension block is 99% dense forest. Over 600,000 trees will be cut in a region that does not even require this coal. Rajasthan's needs can be met by the operational PEKB [Parsa East and Kanta Basan] mine for the next 15 years,' Baghel said.
Baghel said his government withheld environmental and forest clearances for the project, opposed the Union government's land acquisition, and urged the cancellation of the Parsa block. He called the fresh clearance an assault on Chhattisgarh's forests, water sources, and tribal communities.
BJP spokesperson Sacchidanand Upasane accused Baghel of trying to deflect from past failures. He added that there is no need to glorify Baghel's government, citing the alleged exploitation and corruption under his rule. '[This is] why people rejected you both in the jungles and on the ground. Your outburst shows your fear of jail. The Congress has always opposed development in Chhattisgarh. If the BJP government is doing wrong, seek justice in court, not through street-level politics,' Upasane said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

We will expose BJP's conspiracy for power: MLA Naini Rajender
We will expose BJP's conspiracy for power: MLA Naini Rajender

Hans India

time5 minutes ago

  • Hans India

We will expose BJP's conspiracy for power: MLA Naini Rajender

Hanumakonda: Warangal West MLA Naini Rajender Reddy stated that it is the responsibility of Congress party cadres to expose the BJP's ploy for power, which is destroying the crucial voting system enshrined in the Indian Constitution. He alleged that the Election Commission of India is operating under the influence of the BJP, creating bogus votes and undermining democracy. Senior All India Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged the public to remain vigilant from the grassroots to the national level. In this context, following the instructions of TPCC President BMahesh Kumar Goud, a special PowerPoint presentation was organised on Sunday at the Congress party office under the supervision of the Hanumakonda and Warangal district committees. In the presentation, Rahul Gandhi explained in detail about the issue of voter fraud. Warangal MP Dr Kadiyam Kavya, MLAs Revoor Prakash Reddy and KR Nagaraju, DCC presidents Errabelli Swarna, former MPs SiricillaRajaiah and Pasunoori Dayakar, TPCC general secretary EV Srinivas, member Battini Srinivas, along with party leaders from both districts, attended the programme. Addressing the gathering, Hanumakonda district president and MLA Naini Rajender Reddy called on party cadres to expose, from the village level onwards, the Central government's approach that insults the Constitution and nullifies the right to vote. He urged leaders and workers under the leadership of village, mandal, and district committees to explain to the public the fraud being committed by the BJP government at the Centre and to create awareness.

BJP Vs BJP: Constitution Club Poll Contest Between Heavyweights Rudy, Balyan Reaches Final Stage
BJP Vs BJP: Constitution Club Poll Contest Between Heavyweights Rudy, Balyan Reaches Final Stage

News18

time28 minutes ago

  • News18

BJP Vs BJP: Constitution Club Poll Contest Between Heavyweights Rudy, Balyan Reaches Final Stage

Last Updated: BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Dr. Sanjeev Balyan compete for Secretary (Administration) at the Constitution Club of India. The vote on August 12 will decide the outcome. This is no ordinary election. At stake is the coveted post of secretary (administration) of the Constitution Club of India — a position that commands influence in the only members' club exclusively for current and former MPs. This time, the battle lines are drawn between two vastly different BJP heavyweights — the suave and seasoned Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who has been at the club's helm for more than 25 years, and Muzaffarnagar's former MP Dr Sanjeev Balyan, who is contesting for the first time. Rudy's supporters hail him as the man who transformed the club from a crumbling property into a modern facility boasting a spa, restaurants, a swimming pool, gym, and sports amenities. But his challenger, less than a decade into club membership, is campaigning hard on promises to put members first — amid murmurs that bureaucrats have been given too much leeway under his opponent's watch. What makes this contest fascinating is that it is not just a matter of governance — it's a reflection of caste alignments, personal loyalties, and intra-party manoeuvring. Rudy, a Thakur from Bihar, is banking on his long-standing rapport with senior leaders including friends across party lines from the Congress, NCP, and DMK. Balyan, a Jat from western Uttar Pradesh, is relying on his grassroots connections especially in the Hindi heartland and southern states. In a twist of political fate, Nishikant Dubey — once a close ally of Rudy — is now openly campaigning for Balyan. He is joined by BJP floor strategist CM Ramesh, who, insiders said, has been instrumental in mobilising support even from opposition members with backing from Telangana Congress leaders reportedly on Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's instructions including MPs from TDP, BRS, DMK and AIADMK. 'Nobody can doubt the ability that Ramesh has in mobilising. He has successfully done so even during the abrogation of Article 370," the team members said. Balyan's campaign seems to be of a military precision: senior leaders have been assigned 20 MPs each to bring to the voting booth, and outreach has extended to members from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir. Shrikant Shinde of the Shiv Sena and Lahu Krishna from the TDP are some MPs who have been assigned states to focus on. Dubey is also making use of his friendship and connection with party persons across the platform. It is even learnt that CM Omar Abdullah has promised that his party will support Balyan's candidature in this contest. 'Top brass of the NDA government have also in a way indicated which side they would want to support in this election," a source said. While one of the top five ministers in the central government said it will be better for him not to vote because it would be difficult to pick sides, one of the most vocal ministers said he will definitely cast his vote, and that there should be no confusion over his choice. Parliament premises have turned into a stage for this high-stakes duel. Rudy is usually seen near the Makar Dwar, where opposition MPs pass, while Balyan prefers Hans Dwar, frequented by ruling party MPs. Rudy's strategy is call-heavy — phone outreach, personal messages, and targeted conversations with influential members. Balyan's is more on-the-ground — meeting MPs at their homes and offices, securing promises of travel arrangements for former MPs so they can vote in person. Postal ballots have become another battleground. Rudy's camp claims a strong lead through absentee votes, but Balyan's team insists that physically present voters will tilt the numbers in their favour, rendering some postal ballots redundant. The 'Thakur versus Jat' caste contest has only added another layer to the fight. Both leaders are leveraging their identities alongside their political capital to court votes. Members said this election has the feel of a mini-general election, with state satraps, cross-party friendships, and even promises of travel support in play. Monday marks the last day of campaigning before Tuesday's crucial vote on August 12. The stakes are sky-high — 1,250 active MPs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, will decide the outcome. The Constitution Club, founded by the Constituent Assembly, has always been more than a social space — it is a political hub where influence is forged and alliances are tested. This year's election, pitting old-guard experience against fresh-field energy, has become a political thriller playing out in real time. Will Rudy's decades of dominance hold? Or will Balyan's aggressive, personalised outreach rewrite the script? By Tuesday evening, the votes will reveal whether the BJP's internal clash leaves the Constitution Club's balance of power unchanged or forever altered. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

BJP switches strategy in Kerala, to play health card for LSG elections
BJP switches strategy in Kerala, to play health card for LSG elections

New Indian Express

time35 minutes ago

  • New Indian Express

BJP switches strategy in Kerala, to play health card for LSG elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP appears to be recalibrating its political strategy in Kerala, shifting its focus to the health sector as a key campaign topic ahead of the local body elections. Sources said the move comes as the party sidesteps the controversy over the recent attack on nuns and priests in Odisha, a BJP-ruled state, which has threatened to strain its Christian outreach and slow momentum in certain constituencies. Many party leaders termed the Thrissur Lok Sabha election charges baseless and stressed that more counter-strategies would be rolled out. On Saturday, BJP state general secretary S Suresh said in a meeting the party would strongly oppose what it sees as the state government's targeting of Dr Haris Chirakkal. 'Dr Haris has raised the voice of the common people of this state. Things have reached a stage where honest officials struggle to work under this regime. The BJP is moving forward with strong protests against this dangerous approach,' Suresh said. Party sources said the focus on the health sector is a calculated move to spotlight issues with direct public relevance, such as access to quality healthcare and safeguarding honest officials, while steering clear of overexposure to sensitive matters like the Odisha incident. In Chhattisgarh, the BJP played a key role in securing the release of two jailed nuns, but several leaders conceded that internal disagreements have risen over whether such interventions would bring political gains. With Church leaders now voicing concerns over religious freedom and citing the Odisha attack, the party has chosen to approach the matter cautiously, a source said. For instance, at another press meet on Sunday, BJP general secretary Anoop Antony reiterated Suresh's stand on the Dr Haris issue but refrained from criticising the Church authorities.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store