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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Chhattisgarh recommends Hasdeo forestland diversion for mining, triggers row
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.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Time of India
Haryana Chief Minister Highlights Van Mahotsav as Commitment to Environmental Preservation and Green Future; State-Level Van Mahotsav Symbolises Our Commitment to a Green Future: CM Nayab Singh Saini.
Kalesar (Yamunanagar): Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday reaffirmed the state's commitment to environmental sustainability, declaring the Van Mahotsav as a celebration of nature, citizen responsibility, and intergenerational well-being. Speaking at the state-level Van Mahotsav that the forest department had organised in Kalesar, Saini said: "When we plant a tree, we sow the seeds of life and hope." He urged citizens to stay rooted in nature even as rapid modernisation reshapes their lives. Before the main event, the CM visited the historical Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, inaugurated a forest department rest house, and took part in a tree plantation campaign. Record-breaking plantation Saini has announced that Haryana aims to plant 2.1 crore saplings this year under the Centre's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched on World Environment Day. The state has exceeded its phase-I target already by planting more than 1.8 crore trees. The second phase, launched on June 5, aims to add 90 lakh more saplings, along with 1.20 crore under other schemes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Green corridors, eco-tourism Saini also outlined plans to develop the Kalka-Kalesar belt into an eco-tourism hub, calling Kalesar "a treasure trove of biodiversity and a haven for nature lovers". He said the region, known for its trekking trails and rich flora and fauna, was vital to Haryana's sustainable tourism strategy. Wildlife conservation Emphasising on forest and wildlife protection, the CM said the forest department had stepped up patrols and anti-poaching efforts in sensitive zones like Kalesar National Park. Recent sightings of elephant herds, including successful rehabilitation efforts in Bansantor, reflect positive ecological outcomes. The state has also constructed dams in the Shivalik region to store water for wildlife and recharge groundwater. Scheme honours old trees In a unique move, the govt is granting an annual ₹3,000 "pension" under the Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme to caretakers of trees over 75 years old. So far, ₹1 crore has been disbursed for the upkeep of 3,800 heritage trees. Since October 2014, more than 18 crore saplings have been planted across Haryana. Their survival and growth are being tracked through drone-based geo-tagging and five-year monitoring protocols. Publications released To mark the occasion, the CM released two forest ddepartment publications — Haryana Forest News and Pran Vayu Devta — aimed at educating the public on conservation efforts and native tree species. Environment and forest minister Rao Narbir Singh called the 'One Tree in Mother's Name' campaign a transformative initiative, while local MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora encouraged citizens to nurture saplings for at least a year. Additional chief secretary Anand Mohan Sharan and principal chief conservator of forests Vineet Kumar Garg were among the local dignitaries in attendance. The Van Mahotsav concluded with a message that sustainable development and ecological stewardship must go hand in hand. MSID:: 122956245 413 |
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Massive tree felling begins in Raigarh for a pvt co's coal mine project
Raipur: A Congress MLA Vidyawati Sidar, along with several party workers and villagers, was detained and later released on Thursday in Lailunga region of Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh during a protest against ongoing tree felling at Gare Palma II coal mine of Tamnar region. Locals gathered at the location as and when they learnt about the team of tree cutters reaching the spot and staged demonstration. Heavy police force was deployed in the region and villagers were chased away from the location, while those who protested hard, were detained and transported them to the local police station and others to circuit house. The incident took place in Mudagaon, a hamlet under Gram Panchayat Saraitola in Tamnar block, where a large number of trees are slated to be cut down for a private company's coal mine project, a move that local residents have been opposing for days. On Thursday, tree felling began in the area. Upon learning about the development, a large number of villagers gathered at the site to voice their protest. MLA Vidyawati Sidar also arrived at the scene to join the demonstration but was subsequently detained by the police. Locals told TOI that a heavy police presence, numbering in several hundreds, has been deployed in the area. When TOI called Raigarh SP Divyang Patel and collector Mayank Chaturvedi for their version, they didn't receive the call. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Hidden Flight Trick Airlines Hope You Never Discover Cheaper Flights | search ads Read More Undo According to the information, the gram sabha hearing for Gare Palma Sector II Coal Mine was carried out in year 2019, following which an environment clearance was sanctioned in 2022. Later, the village representatives had filed a case in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and the NGT had cancelled the approval previously granted. However, in 2024, the Ministry of Environment once again issued clearance for the project. An official said that the affected area includes 14 villages and nine gram panchayats, with a total population of around 9,500. An environmentalist Rajesh Tripathi in Raigarh said that large-scale deforestation began in the Mudagaon just a day after Chhattisgarh's Finance Minister OP Choudhary publicly promoted environmental conservation during his visit to the area. On June 25, Minister Choudhary launched the campaign "One Tree in Mother's Name", urging citizens to plant trees as a tribute to their mothers and as a step toward protecting the environment, he said, adding that in less than 24 hours, heavy machinery moved into Mudagaon, clearing large patches of forest for a coal mining project awarded to a private contractor. According to sources, the tree felling is part of a coal extraction project sanctioned in the region. Dense forestland, rich in biodiversity, is being cleared under heavy police presence, signalling the scale and intensity of the operation. "These forests are our life," said a tribal villager. "While the govt talks about planting trees, they're allowing our ancestral lands to be destroyed." Congress MLA Sidar stood in their support.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh: Massive tree felling begins in Raigarh's Mudagaon, Congress MLA Sidar along with villagers detained during protest
RAIPUR: A Congress MLA Vidyawati Sidar, along with several party workers and villagers, was detained and later released on Thursday in Lailunga region of Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh during a protest against ongoing tree felling at Gare Palma II coal mine of Tamnar region. Locals gathered at the location as and when they learnt about the team of tree cutters reaching the spot and staged demonstration. Heavy police force was deployed in the region and villagers were chased away from the location, while those who protested hard, were detained and transported them to the local police station and others to circuit house. The incident took place in Mudagaon, a hamlet under Gram Panchayat Saraitola in Tamnar block, where a large number of trees are slated to be cut down for a private company's coal mine project, a move that local residents have been opposing for days. On Thursday, tree felling began in the area. Upon learning about the development, a large number of villagers gathered at the site to voice their protest. MLA Vidyawati Sidar also arrived at the scene to join the demonstration but was subsequently detained by the police. Locals told TOI that a heavy police presence, numbering in several hundreds, has been deployed in the area. When TOI called Raigarh SP Divyang Patel and collector Mayank Chaturvedi for their version, they didn't receive the call. According to the information, the gram sabha hearing for Gare Palma Sector II Coal Mine was carried out in year 2019, following which an environment clearance was sanctioned in 2022. Later, the village representatives had filed a case in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and the NGT had cancelled the approval previously granted. However, in 2024, the Ministry of Environment once again issued clearance for the project. An official said that the affected area includes 14 villages and nine gram panchayats, with a total population of around 9,500. An environmentalist Rajesh Tripathi in Raigarh said that large-scale deforestation began in the Mudagaon just a day after Chhattisgarh's Finance and Environment Minister OP Choudhary publicly promoted environmental conservation during his visit to the area in Tamnar. Choudhary is also an MLA from Raigarh constituency. On June 25, Minister Choudhary launched the 'One Tree in Mother's Name' campaign, urging citizens to plant trees as a tribute to their mothers and as a step toward protecting the environment, he said, adding that in less than 24 hours, heavy machinery moved into Mudagaon, clearing large patches of forest for a coal mining project awarded to a private contractor. According to sources, the tree felling is part of a coal extraction project sanctioned in the region. Dense forestland, rich in biodiversity, is being cleared under heavy police presence, signalling the scale and intensity of the operation. 'These forests are our life,' said a tribal villager. 'While the government talks about planting trees, they're allowing our ancestral lands to be destroyed.' Congress MLA Sidar stood in their support.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Stage set for Yoga Day at 4K places across UP: Minister
1 2 Varanasi: The theme of 11th International Yoga Day , to be celebrated on Sunday, Jun 21, is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', with the aim of integrating yoga into lifestyle of public and to spread its message globally. UP minister of AYUSH, Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu', said yoga was not just a physical exercise but means for a harmonious lifestyle, mental balance and alignment with nature. He said extensive arrangements had been made made for the state-level event at 4,075 designated sites and the main event would be held on Raj Bhavan lawns in Lucknow. The minister said that to realise vision of Prime Minister's 'Yoga for Cooperation' and Chief Minister Yogi's 'Healthy Uttar Pradesh', Yoga Week was being observed across the state from Jun 15 to 21, featuring special programmes, from village councils to Raj Bhavan. He said the plan was prepared with cooperation of the Lucknow Development Authority, transport corporation, police administration, municipal corporation, medical department, and information and public relations department for LED, sound systems, yoga mats, refreshments, security, traffic management and cleanliness. In addition to the main event at the Raj Bhavan, group yoga sessions will be organised at 10 major parks in Lucknow, besides at 4,075 designated sites across the state, and at 1 lakh locations nationwide. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Mishra said Yoga Week activities began as rehearsals on Jun 15, involving various competitions such as speeches, rangoli, extempore speeches, posters, and yoga exercises in AYUSH colleges, schools, universities, and hospitals. He said special yoga sessions were being organised for specific groups like pregnant women, differently-abled individuals, underprivileged groups, prisoners, orphaned children and slum dwellers. Additionally, the 'Y-Break' five-minute yoga method was being promoted in offices and the corporate sector. The minister said that under the 'Yoga Unplugged' branding, social media-based national and international yoga competitions were being held to attract youth. The aim of the initiative was to raise awareness about yoga among youth and make it an integral part of their daily routine. This time, yoga is being linked with environmental conservation through yoga sessions at natural sites, tree planting and cleanliness drives. Special yoga sessions are being organised at Amrit Sarovars, rivers, lakes, and parks, with tree planting under 'One Tree in Mother's Name' initiative.
