The project proposes to mine five million tonnes of power grade coal per annum. It requires 891 hectares of forest land and 95,458 trees would be felled.
The environment ministry's forest advisory committee (FAC) will seek the opinion of the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) to determine whether the Parsa open cast coal mine in Hasdeo-Arand forest, Chhattisgarh, should be granted in-principle forest clearance. The project proposes to mine five million tonnes of power grade coal per annum. It requires 891 hectares of forest land and 95,458 trees would be felled.
The FAC, which appraises projects for forest clearances, contended that since the issue of forest clearances of two captive coal mines in the region, Parsa East and Kante Basan (PEKB), is pending before the Supreme Court (SC) the Parsa coal block cannot be appraised in isolation.
In 2014, the NGT had quashed the forest approval granted to PEKB mines by former environment minister Jairam Ramesh and had ordered FAC to reexamine the project taking into consideration the region's forest density, wildlife conservation biodiversity. NGT had also questioned as to how the environment minister had approved mining in a 'no-go' zone. The NGT's order was later partially stayed by the SC who allowed the mine's operation to continue. The mine is operated by Adani group who has entered into a joint venture with Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd.
In the minutes of its July 26 meeting when FAC appraised the project, it noted that earlier too, concerns were raised about considering the project in isolation as biodiversity and wildlife conservation cannot be limited to one coal block but has to cover the entire region. It added, "Final orders by Supreme Court in this case would facilitate taking up a clear-cut view for granting of forest clearance for Parsa coal block. However, expert legal opinion may be obtained from ASG on whether in-principal approval be considered for this coal block/other coal block in Hasdeo-Arand forest pending final disposal of the case in the apex court.
Official documents and reports of local forest officers show that the mining lease also falls in forest used by elephants to move to neighbouring Jharkhand and Odisha.
The FAC's appraisal of the project was criticised by activist and lawyer Sudiep Srivastava who had moved NGT to challenge the forest clearance to PEKB mines. "The FAC should not consider Parsa mine until wildlife and biodiversity studies are completed as per NGT orders and all other conditions in NGT order are complied with. Further, the NGT had ordered that FAC should undertake field visits to inspect the area," Srivastava said.
Pros And Cons
In the minutes of its July 26 meeting, when FAC appraised the project, it noted that earlier too, concerns were raised about considering the project in isolation as biodiversity and wildlife conservation cannot be limited to one coal block but has to cover the entire region
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