UPDATE: On 14 October, the villagers from Tara in Surajpur district under the banner of Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, started an indefinite sit-in protest at against the coal mining project in Hasdeo. Land has been acquired unlawfully for the Parsa Coal Mining Project without the consent of the Gram Sabha. Adivasi communities have been protesting about it, not celebrating the festivals but coming together to fight for their Land, Forest and water. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Union environment ministry has given environmental clearance for open cast coal mining in Parsa in Chhattisgarh’s dense Hasdeo Arand forests span more than 1,70,000 hectares, total forest land which would be diverted for the various coal mines. This is one of the very few pristine natural forests in the country which cannot be replicated through plantation forestation. The coalfield covers a total area of 1878 sq km. of which 1502 sq km. has forest cover. Around 80% of this is covered by good quality forest (approximately 1176 sq km has a canopy cover of over 40% while an additional 116 sq km has a canopy cover of over 70%) Parsa Open Cast Mine, a unit of The Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd(RVUNL) with Adani group as mine developer and operator is going forward to clear this dense forest for purpose of coal mining impacting several villages and wiping out the densest forests in Central India. In 2009, the entire area was termed as a “No-Go Area” or mining because of its rich forest cover(1) by Ministry of Environment and Forest(MOEF). The current order is in direct violation of the MOEF’s own report to cut through these dense forests. This decision could have far-reaching consequences for forest cover conservation in India. The repercussions of these decisions are being borne by the tribal and non-tribal people residing in and around the Hasdeo Arand. Since January 2018, there have been several incidents of human-elephant conflict in the region, which has resulted in both death and the destruction of property. If these proposals are granted, the conflict will only increase(1). Minutes of the forest advisory committee’s meeting highlighted that a section of the 841 hectares to be diverted for the mine lies in very dense forest(1). There is no mention whether the consent from gram sabhas was taken for the project(3) or on the impact to the communities in the area. RVUNL mentioned they do not have forest clearance(3). Apart from pending legal issues and procedural lapses, the grant of approval completely goes against the precautionary principle that is the need of the hour. Initiating mining will fragment one of the last remaining contiguous forest patches in central India, violate forest rights and increase human-wildlife conflict. Let us stop the government from destroying the Lungs of Central India. Sources: 1. https://thewire.in/rights/chhattisgarh-coal-mining-hasdeo-arand 2. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/adani-closer-to-mining-in-green-zone-in-chhattisgarh/story-uVIKz0aK8Lk8NH7C09x4bI.html 3. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-s-nod-for-mining-in-170khectares-of-forest/story-F60Pb7W8ybegHntaQ9YBwK.html 4.https://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/issues/environment/1012/elephant-in-the-room/

Earlier this year, hundreds and thousands of Bangaloreans came together to tell the government that they don’t want the elevated corridor. The project tender was cancelled in September. Now, Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa, office has again announced widening of the Jayamahal Road and Bellari Road for the elevated corridor. The road widening project would cut more than 100 trees. In a news report, an official mentioned that “the BS Yediyurappa-led government had cancelled a tender for the elevated corridor but not the project itself(1)”. Moreover, Deputy Conservator of Forests, BBMP, M K Cholarajappa said they have received the proposal for the project. "We are yet to conduct a tree survey following which the exact number of trees will be known,". The issue of the elevated corridor is not a new one for Bengalureans. Some of the trees on Jayamahal- Bellary junction are more than 100 years old and have been acting as carbon sinks for decades.air pollution is an issue that needs urgent addressing -- and chopping off hundreds of trees that essentially purify the air, for 're-development' projects is only going to make it more difficult to tackle. In fact, in 2016 more than 8000 people formed a human chain to protect the future of these trees(2). Time and again citizens of Bengaluru have told the government that elevated corridor cutting through the city’s green heritage is not the solution to the traffic woes. Instead, the government should focus on developing a holistic public transport system. We cannot lose our trees and clean air for a corridor that will only increase private vehicle congestion in the city! We have saved thousands of trees in Bangalore before. We can do it again. Sign this petition NOW. Sources 1. https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bengaluru-infrastructure/jayamahal-road-widening-to-claim-100-trees-770701.html 2. https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/bengaluru-citizens-form-human-chain-to-protest-flyover-116101600285_1.html