The Centre on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha that approximately 273,000 more trees are expected to be felled in the Hasdeo Arand forests in the coming years for mining purposes. This decision comes as wildlife and biodiversity institutions have not recommended a complete ban on mining activities in the area. Additionally, the Centre stated that fewer than 964,000 trees will be felled for the Great Nicobar project.
Environmental Concerns Raised
The Union Environment Ministry shared this information while addressing two of the most contentious environmental issues in the country: the diversion of forests from Hasdeo Arand in Chhattisgarh and the Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island in Andaman & Nicobar Islands project by Niti Aayog.
Hasdeo Arand Forests
In response to a question by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawmaker Sandeep Kumar Pathak regarding the Wildlife Institute of India’s (WWI) study on Hasdeo Arand, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav confirmed the existence of the report. However, he clarified that the report did not recommend a complete ban on mining.
The Chhattisgarh government had commissioned a Biodiversity Assessment Study of the Hasdeo-Arand Coalfields, which was conducted by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India. The report was submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on June 14, 2021.
According to the report, 94,460 trees have already been felled in the Parsa East Kete Basen Mine area, with over 5.3 million trees planted as compensatory afforestation, mine reclamation, and translocation efforts. The Chhattisgarh government informed that an additional 273,757 trees are slated to be felled in the coming years for mining activities.
Hasdeo Arand, one of the largest contiguous stretches of dense forest in central India, spans 170,000 hectares and contains 23 coal blocks. Initially classified as a “No-Go” zone for mining in 2009 due to its rich forest cover, the area was later reopened for mining after policy changes.
Great Nicobar Project
Responding to queries about the Great Nicobar project, junior environment minister Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that fewer than 964,000 trees will be felled. He assured that the project would not affect the breeding grounds of Leatherback Turtles, a major environmental concern raised by Trinamool Congress MP Md Nadimul Haque.
Singh highlighted that the breeding grounds of leatherback turtles on the western flank of the project area would remain untouched. The Wildlife Institute of India has set up a research unit to monitor sea turtle-related activities as part of the environmental clearance conditions.
The central government has granted in-principle approval for the diversion of 130.75 sq km of forest land for sustainable development on Great Nicobar Island. Compensatory afforestation will be carried out, and more than 50% of the diverted area is reserved for green development, where no tree felling is planned. Approximately 15% of the development area will remain green and open spaces, reducing the impact on the ecosystem.
Mitigation Measures
The Environment Ministry assured that adequate mitigation measures to compensate for the development’s impact on flora and fauna are included in the environmental and forest clearance conditions.
This decision reflects the ongoing balance between developmental needs and environmental conservation, highlighting the complexities of managing India’s natural resources in the face of industrial growth.