Press Room
All the news articles published in newspaper and e-papers related to Tadoba (Tadoba-andhari Tiger Reserve) / Lohara Jungle
Panel ‘no’ to Adani mine near Tadoba
Times of India
TNN Nagpur, 04/12/09
In a major set back to the Adani Power Group and Maharashtra Coal Company, the highlevel appraisal committee set up by the ministry of environment and forest has rejected their coal mining proposal in Lohara and Lohara east blocks respectively, near the Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district.
The committee, in its meeting held on November 24, withdrew the Terms of Reference (TOR) granted to both the companies effectively ending their quest for environmental clearance for the project. Without that the mining projects cannot commence. The TORs were granted to the company last year. The Adani mining project is proposed at a distance of 12 km from boundary of Tadoba tiger reserve while Maharashtra Coal Company project is at 10 km. Both are within the proposed buffer zone of the reserve.
Ever since the controversial proposal was submitted to the centre, green activists led by Bandu Dhotre had launched an agitation, as a result, union minister for environment Jairam Ramesh had to step in and assure the local residents that no permission will be granted to the projects unless his ministry studies the proposal thoroughly. In fact, even the state forest department too had submitted a comprehensive report stating that if permission was granted then it will have an adverse impact on the forest as well as wild life.
Civil aviation minister Praful Patel had taken a lead in setting up the power project in Gondia, his home town. Then Patel had taken the view that while protection of environment is important, at the same time, industrial development too was equally important. “`We are facing acute shortage of power, under such circumstances, we need more power projects in the state,’’ Patel had said.
Reports damn Adani coal project
NDTV
Sanjay Tiwari, Prachi Bhuchar Chandrapur, 12/09/09
An agitation is building up at the lesser known Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra against a state a government decision to open up 5,000 hectares of the forestland for mining coal.
The stir has now caught the attention of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
On Friday, the PMO questioned the validity of these allotments, especially the mammoth chunk proposed to be given to Gujarat’s Adani Group.
“Centre has not cleared these mines,” said Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Environment and Forests.
According to the proposal, five mines, right in the middle of the forest, will threaten not just the 100-odd tigers but ground water reserves. In fact the entire eco-system.
And the largest block of land is given to the Adani Group. This allotment spilled over the buffer zone around the tiger reserve. The allocation has been challenged in the High Court.
“In 1999, similar proposals by ACC and Nippon Denro were categorically rejected mentioning that the area falls under forest land and no such activity can be permitted,” said advocate Niraj Khandewale, counsel for the petitioner.
Just adjacent to the city of Chandrapur, these thick forests are a part of the southward corridor that is essential for the tigers for their breeding and survival.
“If this corridor is lost, then the tiger breeding will be severely disturbed,” said Ashish Ghume, a wildlife activist.
The Maharashtra government wants to push these proposals to ease the power shortage, but the Environment Ministry says no coal blocks that violate forest laws will get a green signal.
The animals pushed to a corner have lashed back again and again. Now, activists hope that the PMO’s intervention will go in their favour.
Reports damn Adani coal project
Times of India
TNN Nagpur, 13/08/09
Even though Adani Coalfs proposal for mining in Lohara near Tadoba is yet to be processed by the forest ministry, its rejection by two
top forest officials is being seen as a big blow to the project.
TOI has in its possession reports of principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) CS Joshi and PCCF (wildlife) AK Joshi obtained under Right to Information Act. The report pulls up lower rung officials for overlooking interests of forest and wildlife conservation.
The PCCF is critical of Chandrapur deputy conservator Pravin Chavan and conservator of North Chandrapur RS Yadav for clearing the proposal.Their recommendations cannot be treated as professionally correct, it says. PCCF has said that the government on October 3, 1997, had stated that mining proposals in deep forests should be rejected outright.
The average crown density of the forest to be diverted for Adani mines varies from 0.6 to 0.8 and is thick forest forming a stretch adjoining TATR. The PCCF has stated that of the 1600 hectares, 750 belong to Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra that include nurseries, orchards and other assets. Felling of six lakh trees in this area will result in loss of over Rs 223 crore.
It states that project will destroy Lohara teak clones seed orchard on 14 hectare that will result in loss of teak germ plasm collected from different states. PCCF comments reveal that FDCM board on July 15 had passed a resolution that its 750 heactare area should not be diverted. He also refers to PCCF (wildlife) report of April 28 to National Tiger Conservation Authority mentioning mining activity will spell doom for wildlife and will also lead to escalation of mananimal conflict. Joshi also mentioned of Nippon Denro Ispat Ltd.project that was denied permission in 1999 for underground mining in same compartments. PCCF has also said that the wildlife conservation plan submitted by Adani Coal did not provide substantial measures to restore wildlife habitat.
‘State govt should turn down Adani proposal’ CAG
Times of India
Vijay Pinjarkar,TNN Nagpur, 12/08/09
The decision to reject diversion of 1,750 hectare rich forest land in Lohara (Chandrapur) for Adani coal blocks by principal chief
conservator of forests (PCCF) for wildlife A K Joshi has come as a shot in the arm for conservationists and those fighting against mining near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
With forest minister Babanrao Pachpute set to get the file next, a cross-section of environmentalists and conservationists told TOI that he should understand the problem and stand by the PCCF in rejecting the proposal on merit.
President of Satpuda Foundation Kishor Rithe felt that now the state government has no option but to reject the Adani proposal. “When union environment minister Jairam Ramesh has already come on record saying he will reject the proposal when it comes to him, why send it at all,” Rithe remarked.
“The PCCF’s decision is wise. The rejection of the Adani proposal is justified as the company’s mining area is rich in wildlife and falls under the buffer and ecosensitive zone of TATR. The mining activity will intensify the man-tiger conflict which has already claimed over 45 villagers in the last four years,” Rithe said.
Wildlife experts remarked that when the matter is heard in the court, the minister will be asked what prompted him to forward the proposal despite stiff opposition from all quarters. It should be noted that the coal lease has been granted in the forest compartment number 389 & 390, which are part of the buffer area of TATR.
Prafulla Bhamburkar, assistant manager of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), hailed the PCCF’s move and called it a victory of sorts for the greens. “Despite pressure from the forest minister, that the PCCF went against the proposal is commendable.
There is definitely some meaning to the rejection of the proposal. With the rejection of the proposal, the uncertainty has been removed. Now the state government should follow suit,” Bhamburkar asserted. He said tigers are already crying for space and their numbers are dwindling. The wildlife and environment crisis is so severe that every inch of forest land counts. No more dense forest land should be given for such projects.
Meanwhile, chief of Chandrapur-based Eco-Pro Bandu Dhotre, who left the political parties and administration no choice by launching a fast-unto-death, welcomed the stand taken by the PCCF. He also lauded the then PCCF B Majumdar, who was the first to raise a voice against cluster of mines that threaten to come around Tadoba.
Mines dept blind to Forest Conservation Act: CAG
Times of India
Vijay Pinjarkar,TNN Nagpur, 10/08/09
The latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has exposed the tall claims by the mines department on having implemented
better mining practices in forest areas.
The CAG report for 2007-08 says that there is gross manipulation and non-compliance in mines and minerals revenue. The report says that the mines department is blind to non-compliance of rules in the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) even though the forest department raised objection to operating of mines in forest areas. Most of the mines are either operating without permission or have not renewed their lease agreements.
The report also points out many inspection defaults. Out of 1,798 inspections required to be conducted in respect of working mines, only 262 inspections were conducted between 2003-04 and 2006-07. Similarly, in respect of non-working mines, out of 505 inspections due, inspection took place in only two cases. A quarterly review required to be conducted by the director was never done.
The CAG says that due to the absence of a system to monitor the settlement process, the directorate and government were not aware of the low percentage of settlement of lease applications, which was only 4.93%, and the consequent non-realization of dead rent of Rs 8.69 crore and stamp duty and registration fee of over Rs 8.94 crore.
The report also points out the failure of the government in safeguarding revenue interest before prescribing the basis for calculation of annual royalty for levy of stamp duty and registration fee. This led to revenue loss of at least Rs 4.94 crore. Also, illegal mining of 10.22 lakh million tonnes (MT) of minerals without mining lease led to loss of Rs 88.47 crore towards the cost of mineral and revenue not realized.
Due to inaction of the department in disposing off left over minerals, revenue of Rs 66.38 crore remained unrealised. Similarly, due to non-adherence to the prescribed assessment procedure, there was non/short levy of royalty of Rs 15.95 crore. The report also says that due to non-initiation of proposals to resettle the non-working mines, the government was deprived of Rs 25.26 crore revenue.
Highlighting the casual approach of mining authorities in Chandrapur, conservationist Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation, pointed out that the department had told him last year that no mines have come up in Chandrapur since 1980! The same information was, though, correctly supplied by the forest department. “The report assumes significance in view of the numerous violations by the mining companies,” he said.
SPM touches alarming level in Chanda: Report
Times of India
Proshun Chakraborty,TNN Nagpur, 09/08/09
With the suspended particulate matter (SPM) touching alarming levels in Chandrapur, living in this otherwise forest area has made life
difficult. Thanks to the Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station, air pollution
has once again become a cause of concern for the citizens.
A survey conducted by the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MPCB) revealed that last year’s SPM levels were far higher than they were in the past. As per figures provided by the MPCB, the SPM levels in Chandrapur last year touched 924 micrograms. Notably, the levels should not be more than 100 micro-grams.
The pollution levels in sensitive areas, which house schools and hospitals, too have surpassed the permissible limit. Rampant industrialisations, apart from fumes emitted by the power station and other industries, is being attributed to the problem. Ahir claimed that in the recent past, over 65% of forest areas in the district have vanished. Starting from Ballarpur to Warora, many jungles have disappeared due to set up of new industries. However, the MPCB has failed to keep check on pollution norms, he alleged.
A senior MPCB officer said 150 mg/Nm3 was the permissible limit for any increase could prove hazardous for health. “Besides power station and new coal mines in and around Chandrapur is responsible for high levels of pollution,” said Chandrapur MP Hanshraj Ahir.
Citing examples of violation of pollution norms by CSTPS, Ahir said in 2008 the unit has allegedly exceeded its permissible limits of releasing suspended particulate matter. On March 4, 2008, Unit 2 had exceeded its permissible limits by generating 924 SPM. Similarly, another unit on the same day (March 4, 2008) had recorded 536 SPM. Likewise, over 20 times, the SPM has exceeded over 200 mg/Nm3, said the MP. Ahir said, “This is an issue which needs to be tackled seriously. It’s high time that something concrete is done.”
Chanda reeling under drought like situation
Times of India
Mazhar Ali,TNN Chandrapur, 08/08/09
It seems Chandrapur district has got unending woes. First scanty rainfall, then colossal pest attack and now fields cracking up
leading to a drought-like situation. With rains nowhere in sight the agriculture department of the zilla parishad has concluded that Chandrapur district is “indeed reeling under severe drought-like situation”.
The agriculture committee of Chandrapur Zilla Parishad has forwarded a detailed report in this regard and has asked the state government to declare the Chandrapur district drought-affected.
“The district has received less than average rainfall this year, hence is facing a drought-like situation. As a result the weather has turned hot and humid, which in fact is more susceptible for pest attack. Less rainfall has forced the farmers to withhold the transplantation of paddy nursery and the growth of the crops has been retarded.
In light of this grave situation the agriculture committee passed a resolution unanimously concluding that the district is drought-affected,” said PS Bhakte, project officer of ZP agriculture department. “The same resolution passed by agriculture committee has been forwarded to state government on August 4, urging it to declare the district drought-affected,” he added.
Less rainfall has also triggered the panic button. “During June the rainfall recorded in district was only 62% of average rainfall. July witnessed only 64% of the average rainfall. It has not rained at all in the district since July 28/. The situation will become worse if it does not rain in a week or so,” Bhakte said. He said that normally 100% sowing operations are accomplished by August 15. But, this year only 31% (64,053 ha) of paddy transplantation and paddy nursery has been completed so far.
“Though 100% sowing has been done in case of soyabean (in 1,78,651 hectares of land) and cotton (53,438 ha), but these sensitive crops may suffer adversely if they don’t receive adequate rain in coming days. Also the threat of pest attack is always there,” said Bhakte, adding, “Lack of rainfall will just not ruin kharif crop but also pose a grave danger to rabi crop.
The position of the water reserves in different irrigation projects in district too is indicative of the alarming situation. None of the nine irrigation projects in district have more that 40% stock even as half of rainy season is over. The water situation in different irrigation projects is as following: Asolamendha project – 28.86% (16.25 MMC), Pakadigudam project – 12.33% (1.56 MMC), Dongargaon project – 12.57% (1.56 MMC), Ghodazari project – 32.27% (13.93 MMC), Naleshwar project – 35% (3.62 MMC), Chandai Nullah project – 37.50% (4 MMC), Chargaon project – 15.34% (3 MMC), Labhansarad project – 5.66% (0.49 MMC) and Amalnala project – 17.51% (4.28 MMC).
In light of the fact that almost all the tehsils in the district may face worse drinking water crises in coming days, the district administration has instructed the concerned department not to release any water for irrigation purpose till further orders.
MoEF official to study Adani plant’s impact on Nagzira
Times of India
Vijay Pinjarkar,TNN Nagpur, 07/08/09
If 625 sq km Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is going to be hit by the proposed Adani coal mines in Lohara core zone, the 163 sq km
Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary in Gondia district will also be affected by the thermal power plant of Adani the construction of which is in progress at Tiroda.
Forest department sources said an official of the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) is visiting Nagzira on August 7. A K Rana, chief conservator of forests (CCF), based in Bhopal, will conduct site inspection of Nagzira and adjoining areas in the proximity of the proposed plant of Adani Power Maharashtra Limited at MIDC Tiroda in Gondia district.
Sources said field officers of Gondia territorial and wildlife
divisions have been asked to be present during the site inspection. Adani Power Maharashtra Limited has submitted a proposal for diversion of 164.84 hectares of forest land for establishment of 1980 mw coal-based thermal power plant at Tiroda.
Rana will meet principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) C S Joshi and chief wildlife warden A K Joshi and hold discussions on the adverse impact of the proposed plant on Nagzira sanctuary. The MoEF has found that certain portions of the area of this project are within the 10 km radius i.e. eco-sensitive zone of Nagzira and therefore preparation of a wildlife mitigation plan to minimise adverse effects of the power project or the wildlife habitats might be needed.
According to conservationist Prafulla Bhamburkar, assistant manager of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the Adani power plant is coming up between the Kachewani and Tiroda stretch which has rich forests and acts as a cushion for wild animals. Fly ash from the power plant would prove disastrous for wild animals and hence the MoEF should not allow power plant in the area, he said.
Mungantiwar ultimatum to state on Adani mines
Times of India
TNN Nagpur, 04/08/09
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Chandrapur, Sudhir Mungantiwar gave an ultimatum to the state government to clear its stand on
proposed Adani coal blocks in Lohara, close to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
“I have asked the government, specially Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and forest minister Babanrao Pachpute, to clear their stand on the Adani mines before August 9, otherwise a decisive agitation will be launched against the government and the mining project,” Mungantiwar said.
The MLA told reporters at Nagpur that Adanis, a leading coal importer, should use imported coal for power plant in Tiroda in Gondia district. The company would face stiff opposition from all the parties if it did not change its plans to carry out mining near Tadoba. All parties, including Chandrapur unit of NCP, were against the mining project, he said.
When asked about cluster of mining activity threatening to come near Tadoba, Mungantiwar said it was not Adani alone but he was opposing the projects of Murli Agro-Grace in Lohara (east) and Maharashtra State Mining Corporation (MSMC) in Agarzari as well as others.
The Lohara coal mining project has a minimum expanse of 1750 hectares of which 1573.56 hectares is dense reserve forest and additional expanse of 500 hectares for dumping and disposal of overburden (OB). Thus a total of 2073 hectares of reserve forest rich with wildlife will be lost. Further additional forest area is likely to be destroyed by way of building approach roads, railway sidings and labour colonies, cautioned Mungantiwar.
“Once the proposal gets clearance it will open floodgates to other mining companies which are waiting for permission for coal excavation from areas adjacent to TATR. The Adani mines envisages use of 55 tonnes of explosives per day. The damage and disturbance caused due to the sound pollution, vibrations and dust thrown up in the air will be immense. We will be sacrificing our painstaking efforts to conserve wildlife,” he said.
The MLA said the OB to be excavated and dumped elsewhere would cause contamination of water. The silt from it would stymie the rivers and streams in area. Besides, two lakes situated within the Lohara-Junona forests would also get choked and would be rendered useless.
The migration corridor used by wildlife from TATR to Indravati reserve passes through Lohara-Junona area. Mining operations would destroy the same resulting in inbreeding and exposure to harmful recessive traits, he said.
Mangantiwar informed that Chandrapur was one of the most polluted cities in India and allowing further mining would only increase the pollution. It was already taking its toll and nearly 40% of the children in the district suffer asthmatic problems.
The BJP leader said no doubt, power generation was the need of the hour and essential for development. “We are not against any particular company but we wish that the coal requirement be met from some alternative areas that will not cause harm to the environment,” he added.
Mungantiwar further said nobody could compensate for loss of wildlife. “Money can neither restore forest, nor wildlife built by nature over millions of years. The same holds true for human life as well,” he said.
Dhotre ends 14-day-long hunger strike
Times of India
Mazhar Ali , TNN Chandrapur, 03/08/09
After intense persuasion by conservationists and a written assurance from union minister of state for forest and environment
(independent portfolio) Jairam Ramesh to protect Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve (TATR) when the Lohara mines proposal comes to him, conservationist Bandu Dhotre called off his 14-day-long fast unto death against the proposed Lohara mine on Sunday evening. Dhotre drank a glass of juice at the hands of his father and Paromita Goswami, president of Shramik Yelgar, in presence of dozens of conservationists from Chandrapur and Nagpur.
“I have given up my hunger strike to honour the request of my fellow protesters and that of minister Jairam Ramesh,” said Dhotre after calling off his hunger strike. He said that the agitation started by his NGO Eco-Pro against the Adani mine has now become the struggle of entire Chandrapur. “I was undecided until the morning. However, the delegation that had gone to Delhi to meet Jairam Ramesh returned, and many fellow conservationists too reached here from Nagpur and held a meeting to decide that I should call off my hunger strike. Honouring their request, I have decided to call of my stir,” said Dhotre. He, however, held that he would once again resort to satyagraha if government goes ahead to give nod to the mine in Lohara jungle. “Now the people have understood the threat. And nobody could deceive them as forest minister Babanrao Pachpute had deceived me last time,” he added.
Earlier, in the afternoon, more than hundred conservationists and heads of different organization supporting anti-Adani agitation held a fierce discussion at IMA hall about whether to continue with the huger strike of Dhotre or persuade him to call it off on health grounds. Paromita Goswami, who was among the delegates who met Jairam Ramesh on Saturday, explained the positive approach of the minister towards protection of Lohara jungle. “Ramesh showed us the letters he had received from Sonia Gandhi, PMO, MP Vilas Muttemwar and other MPs from Vidarbha, ex-union minister of state Shantaram Potdukhe and several other dignitaries from across the country. He assured that in light of such a great persuasion and potential threat to the core jungle and rich wildlife habitat, there is little chance of Lohara mine getting clearance, when its proposal comes to MOE&F,” said Goswami.
“In the end, we all present in the meeting went to vote, and none of around hundred protesters of Adani mine was in favour of Dhotre continuing his strike. Hence, we persuaded Dhotre to call off the strike and he obliged,” said Shyam Pandharipande, senior journalist and conservationist from Nagpur. Local IMA President Dr Gopal Mundhada held, “The hunger strike has been called off, but not the agitation. Our struggle against the Lohara mine will continue till the government formally declines the project.”
Dhotre was taken to the agitation place from the hospital, where he formally drank juice to call off his hunger strike. Civil Surgeon Ramesh Bandebuche said Dhotre might have damaged his kidney if he had continued with the strike. Following his deteriorating condition, he was moved to ICU in civil hospital on Sunday morning.
Cong, NCP split over Adani mines
Times of India
Ramu Bhagwat , TNN Nagpur, 03/08/09
The Adani Power Ltd.’s plans for mining of coal close to Tadoba tiger reserve, one of the last remaining havens of tiger in the country
has run into a political storm. It seems to have split Nationalist Congress Party, a constituent of the UPA government and partner of DF government in Maharashtra, and Congress. NCP is quietly backing it while Congress is bent upon scuttling it citing potential damage to tiger habitat.
This became evident with Congress president Sonia Gandhi taking a grim view of the project. Replying to the letter written to her by city MP Vilas Muttemwar, Gandhi last week wrote: “®arding the concerns expressed over the proposed diversion of forest land in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district for opencast coal mining. I am having the matter looked into.”
According to party sources, Sonia Gandhi immediately referred the matter raised by Muttemwar to environment minister Jairam Ramesh and coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal to resolve.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh is also seized of the issue after seven members of parliament from Vidarbha, cutting across party lines wrote to him seeking withdrawal allocation of the mine blocks at the doorsteps of TATR. With all parties opposing it and the NCP maintaining a studied silence, the Sharad Pawar-led party is isolated on Adani mines issue.
The NCP has huge stakes in the project as Adani is setting up a thermal power plant at Tiroda in Gondia district, the home turf of NCP strongman Praful Patel.
With pressure from the top party bosses, state forest minister Babanrao Pachpute has till date succeeded in reining in his officials, who privately agree that allowing mining would be disastrous for tiger habitat and forest.
The mine falls in the buffer zone of the reserve and will affect the highly endangered tigers’ movement by cutting the corridor connecting central India with tiger habitats in south.
The mines will directly occupy about 1600 hectares of prime forest land. The area not only has rich vegetation but also has presence of wildlife including big cats like tigers and leopards. For this reason, the project has evoked strong protests from local villagers as well as environmental activists.
With the PM and the Congress president now lending support to opponents of Adani mines, the issue may turn into a political battle between Congress and NCP.
With the state assembly elections barely two months away, the tussle between the two parties assumes greater significance.
It is also being seen as another move by Congress to corner Pawar to wrest more concessions from its alliance partner during seat-sharing negotiations.
Adani opposers write letters in blood to Prez
Times of India
Mazhar Ali , TNN Chandrapur, 31/07/09
Keeping the heat on, a bunch of protesters supporting Bandu Dhotre in his hunger strike against the proposed Lohara mines of Adani Power Limited (APL), on Thursday wrote letters to the President of India Pratibha Patil in their own blood. The protesters have urged her to revoke the allocation of coal blocks to the company in Lohara jungle. Meanwhile, Bandu Dhotre resumed his fast unto death in front of the district collectorate in the afternoon after being discharged from hospital, boosting the morale of the protesters.
As Dhotre’s hunger strike enters its twelfth day, his supporters are making each day of the agitation eventful by staging novel protests against the government and APL. On Thursday, around 20 supporters expressed solidarity by writing letters to Patil. “We drew our blood with the help of syringes and collected it in a bottle. Then everybody dipped a quill in his own blood and wrote a letter to the President urging cancellation of the Lohara coal blocks allocated to APL,” said an agitator Mukesh Bhandakkar.
The local unit of Nationalist Congress Party, which had kept away from the anti-Adani protest so far, on Thursday stepped forward to express its solidarity with Dhotre. “District president of NCP Rajendra Vaidya was one of the 20 protesters who wrote a letter with their blood. Even doctors were at the forefront in the agitation. Office-bearer of local IMA unit Dr Mangesh Gulwade too drew his blood to write a letter to the President,” added Bhandakkar.
Meanwhile, Prahar Yuva Shakti Sanghatna opened a new front against Adani’s mine by staging a protest and courting arrest. A bunch of youths led by district president Pradeep Deshmukh gathered at Old Warora Naka square in the evening and shouted anti-Adani slogans.
They tried to burn an effigy of Adani, however alert cops refused permission to do so and arrested all the agitators.
Vidarbha MPs join hands, write to PM on Adani mine issue
Times of India
Ramu Bhagwat , TNN Nagpur, 30/07/09
A day after Chandrapur city rallied in total support of environmentalists protesting the proposed coal mines threatening one of the last remaining tiger havens in the country, seven members of parliament from Vidarbha joined hands to show their support to the cause. What mattered most was these MPs are from desperate parties who rarely see eye-to eye on any issue.
Forgetting their political affiliations, Congress MPs led by Vilas Muttemwar (Nagpur), Datta Meghe (Wardha), Marotrao Kowase (Gadchiroli), BJP’s Hansraj Ahir ( Chandrapur), Sanjay Dhotre (Akola) and Shiv Sena’s Anandrao Adsul (Amravati) and Pratap Jadhav (Buldhana) wrote a joint letter to prime minister Manmohan Singh drawing his attention to the colossal damage that the Adani mines would cause in the vicinity of the famous Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
“Adani Power Ltd has been allocated 1,750 hectares of rich forest land having coal reserves at Lohara neat Tadoba. We are of the considered view, based on incontrovertible information, that operation of the proposed opencast coal mine will cause irreparable damage to the rich biodiversity in and around TATR and seriously endanger the very existence of the tiger. There are 45 tigers in the reserve forest, rated as the best in the country in terms of tiger density,” the letter signed by the seven MPs read. The letter was handed over to the PM by Muttemwar and Meghe, two seniormost leaders from Vidarbha.
A whopping 1,600 hectares of the land allocated to the private company supports rich forest from which over 12 lakh full grown trees will be cut down for the mining work, The biodiversity mainly comprises 18 animal species, nine of which including tiger and leopard are endangered species, 75 species of trees, 35 species of shrubs and herbs, 16 species of bamboo and grass and 21 species of climbers. As per the environmental impact analysis, the environmental cost would be a mind boggling Rs 2.78 billion, the letter has mentioned. The mining operation so close to a protected forest negates the government’s very own conservation policy on which billions are spent to protect tigers, the letter has noted.
The MPs have also suggested that Adani could be given an allocated some alternatives mining blocks where there is no damage to forest and wildlife. “Or the company may be advised to use coal which it regularly imports for the proposed power plant to come up at Tiroda in Gondia district. This way power can be produced without sacrificing rich forests, rare biodiversity and endangered tiger,” the letter concludes.
No mining near Tadoba: Ramesh
Times of India
Vijay Pinjarkar , TNN Nagpur, 29/07/09
In what will be a major morale booster for conservationists opposing the proposed Adani coal mines in Lohara, union minister of state for
environment and forests
(independent charge), Jairam Ramesh, has said that no mining activity will be allowed near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
The assurance was given to Maharashtra forest department officials who were in Sariska (Rajasthan) on July 25 and 26 to attend a two-day meeting of field directors from 37 tiger reserves in India. TOI, on July 18, had reported whether the officials were going to raise or not the issue of mining near Tadoba.
Officials including chief wildlife
warden A K Joshi, CCF (wildlife) for Nagpur Circle, Nandkishore, field directors A K Mishra (Melghat) and Mohan Jha (Pench), who attended the meet, were not available for comments. But Joshi is learnt to have made a presentation on Tadoba on July 26. It was attended by Ramesh.
Sources said the officials raised issues like mining, man-animal conflict, buffer zone, expediting funds availability, protection and host of other issues before the minister. The officials also informed the minister that there were breeding tigresses even outside Tadoba in the buffer zone and mining activity in the area would prove detrimental.
Sources said Ramesh sound positive and said mining activity will not be allowed near Tadoba reserve. The stand taken by Ramesh even was confirmed by Rajesh Gopal, member-secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), who was present at the meet.
“It’s true that a section of officials had raised the issue of mining around Tadoba to which minister made his views clear. As far as NTCA is concerned, there is no question of allowing coal mines of Adani or for that matter others near TATR. We’ll say a clear no when these proposals come to us,” Gopal told TOI on Tuesday. On Chandrapur bandh, he said, “If people don’t want mines near Tadoba, their feelings will surely be honoured.”
Meanwhile, conservationists have flayed forest minister Babanrao Pachpute and his deputy Vijay Wadettiwar for not opposing Adani mines. “At a time when the Centre is giving top priority to tigers, these ministers are talking about destroying rich forests for coal,” said conservationist Prafulla Bhamburkar of WTI.
Environmentalist Vijay Lapalikar stated that MoEF is serious about tigers and is planning to hold world tiger summit’ in Rajasthan next year. On the contrary, in Maharashtra, people have to launch a fast-unto-death’ and observe a bandh to save tigers and forests. “It’s an irony that forest ministers themselves are planning to sell our rich forests to coal companies,” he added.
Sources said Ramesh assured to increase project tiger’ allowance to staff and early release of funds. Special attention was given to reserves in north-east states, which are grappling with host of problems like poaching and extremism. The issue of tiger census was also discussed. A programme to train officers for scientific method to count tigers is likely to start in September. The actual tiger census is slated to be held in November. The last census was held in 2005.
Cops force-lift Dhotre again
Times of India
TNN Nagpur, 29/07/09
The Chandrapur police on Tuesday made a ham-handed attempt to disrupt the fast-unto-death stir launched by conservationist Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, against Adani mines, proposed to come near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
At 9 pm on Tuesday, a posse of around 50 policemen from Ram Nagar police station reached the pandal where Dhotre is staging the stir near district collectorate and force-lifted him to the government hospital. This is second time in five days that police forcefully lifted Dhotre from the pandal.
The Eco-Pro chief is on strike from July 20, to demand cancellation of coal blocks to Adani which threaten to destroy 1750 hectares of forest and Tadoba reserve. There were only four volunteers and Dhotre’s wife present when police reached the pandal on Tuesday.
Repeated attempts to reach sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Parag Manere proved futile. Sources said the police action follows after talks between Dhotre and administration failed.
Chanda shuts down to speak up
Times of India
Mazhar Ali , TNN Chandrapur, 29/07/09
It appears that Chandrapur citizens have finally realized what loss they will sustain if the mine of Adani Power Limited (APL) is allowed in the core forest area of Lohara near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). Their strong opposition to the proposed mine was reflected in the total response to a strike call given by conservationists, social organizations and political parties collectively on Tuesday.
The movement to oppose the proposed mine that was underway since one year gained fresh momentum after conservationist Bandu Dhotre began a fast unto death from July 20 before the district collectorate. As the agitation progressed, people in every section of the society understood the importance of preserving Lohara jungle and soon, support began pouring in to the satyagraha started by Dhotre. As his hunger strike entered the 9th day on Tuesday, bandh was called upon unanimously by supporters of Dhotre.
Three major political parties including Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena backed it. The bandh call evoked 100% response and traders in Chandrapur did not open their shops in the main market in the morning. Education institutions too declared holiday and students reaching the schools and colleges were turned back. Even petrol pumps and cinemas were kept closed. However, emergency services such as hospitals and medical shops remained open. No effect of the bandh call was seen on the attendance in government offices and banks.
Several groups of Congress and Shiv Sena supporters, along with those of conservationist organizations, were seen parading along the streets, closing the few shops and institutions that defied the bandh call. Streets and markets wore a deserted look in the afternoon following the bandh call.
Former Congress MP Naresh Pugalia, who was first among the political leaders to declare full support to Dhotre’s agitation said, “I have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to revoke the permission to all coal blocks allocated around TATR, including Lohara coal block given to APL. The allocation in the core forest area threatening the existence of the tiger is in stark contrast with the policy of union ministry of environment and forests. While I have detailed the disastrous consequences of mining in the forest around Tadoba to PM and other concerned authorities, I will personally take up the issue with them when I reach Delhi.”
In light of the fact that Lohara forest acts as a tiger corridor and allowing mining in this rich wildlife habitat will disrupt ecological balance to a disastrous extent, Pugalia has demanded for CBI probe about how APL managed to get coal block allocated in core jungle area. He is likely to fly to Delhi on Wednesday to take up the matter with the authorities concerned.
Meanwhile, support continues to pour in for Bandu Dhotre. On Tuesday, office bearers of Chandrapur Bar Association met Dhotre and declared their full support against the proposed APL mine in Lohara.
“Now, traders, industrialists, doctors, lawyers, politicians, conservationists, ex-forest employees and, most importantly, the common man, stands with me in the fight against APL. The district collector repeatedly tried to pursuade me to give up the fast, claiming that the matter is concerned with union government and there is nothing left to be done at the district level. However, I will not budge till the union coal ministry cancels the allocation of the coal blocks,” said Dhtore.
Chandrapur bandh evokes good response over Adani coal block
Indopia
PTI Nagpur, 28/07/09
The Congress today claimed that the Chandrapur bandh call by the party over opposition to the coal block allotment to Adani Group in Lohara village of the district evoked a good response.
Adani Group has been alloted a coal block in buffer zone of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) at Lohara village deep in the forest for their power plant at Tiroda in neighbouring Gondia district.
“The bandh call given by City and District Congress Committee met with a success and all schools, colleges, markets, fuel stations remained closed,”former Congress MP Naresh Pugalia told PTI over phone.
“We are opposing not only Adani Group but also coal block allotment to Murli Agro, Sun Flag and Maharashtra Mining Corporation, all the four coal blocks in buffer zone, which was violation of Forest Conservation Act and Wild Life Protection Act,”he said.
Meanwhile, police said the bandh was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the district. A memorandum was submitted to the authorities to convey their protest, police added.
Cong, Sena say no to Adani mines
Times of India
Vijay Pinjarkar,Times Nagpur, 28/07/09
The Congress and Shiv Sena have for the first time come out in the open against mining activity by the Adani group at Lohara near
Tadoba. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too had announced its decision to oppose the proposed coal mines. All three parties have also declared their full support for the Chandrapur bandh call on Tuesday.
The bandh call has been given by citizens and traders following unruly and forceful removal of Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, to the government hospital on Saturday. Dhotre, who was discharged on Monday, is on a fast-unto-death to oppose the Adani mines. His fast is now into its eighth day.
The cops and district administration are allegedly under pressure from a section of NCP ministers who support the Adani mines. Though, president of Chandrapur district NCP Rajendra Vaidya too has announced his support to the bandh. “People’s feelings will be honoured,” he said.
Talking to the TOI, ex-MP Naresh Pugalia questioned the viability of Adani mines. “Near Pench Tiger Reserve on NH-7, even four-laning work is being opposed because of wildlife presence. However, the same aspects are not being considered while allotting coal blocks near Tadoba,” the senior Congress leader pointed out.
“Not only Adani, I’m opposed to the cluster of open-cast mining activity threatening to come up near Tadoba. I’ve already apprised the President, prime minister and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, and will personally raise the issue when I meet them soon. I’ll not allow a single tree to be felled for mining,” Pugalia said. “Why does the government want over four lakh people of Chandrapur to suffer pollution from the mines?” he asked.
Earlier, Chandrapur BJP MP Hansraj Ahir and Congress Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar had already apprised Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh about the issue. Now senior Congress leaders Shantaram Potdukhe and Pugalia have joined the anti-Adani movement. Many traders and citizens body has hailed the stand taken by Pugalia.
Dr Gopal Mundhada, president of Chandrapur IMA, said, “Although medical professionals come under emergency services, we will support the bandh by the traders. Doctors are already spreading awareness by telling people about the health hazards of mining. The bandh will be a tool to tell the government that we don’t want mining. I hail the stand taken by Pugalia.”
Chandrapur district Shiv Sena chief Balu Dhanorkar announced full support to Dhotre. “What Dhotre is doing is correct. Shiv Sena has got a representation from environmentalist Seema Sahu and others. We’ll back the bandh on Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, Pugalia urged the PM to order a CBI probe into how Adani managed to get the coal blocks in Lohara. The officials concerned should be punished for the mess and mismanagement, he said.
Activist’s fast ended forcibly
DNA
Ashwin Aghor ,DNA Mumbai, 27/07/09
The Chandrapur police has forcibly ended the fast-unto-death by the president of a non-profit Eco-Pro, Bandu Dhotre, who has launched a campaign against a proposed coal mine in Lohara forests on the outskirts of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
However, the other two members of the NGO, Visnhu Mokal and Atul Ingole, continued the agitation.
The movement against the proposed coal mine has gained unprecedented support from the citizens of Chandrapur. As many as 50 social organisations, including the Chandrapur branch of the Indian Medical Association, and various schools have supported the movement.
Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh, also known as the waterman of India, on Wednesday expressed solidarity with the agitation launched by Dhotre.
Dhotre says as many as 13.50 lakh trees will chopped, and tiger habitat in TATR will be destroyed. “They are coming here not only to take away the coal, but it will also rob the people of Chandrapur of their health and water. The water level in the surrounding area will deplete considerably,” he warned.
The news covered by Daily Tarun Bharat (Chandrapur and Nagpur Edition) and for some unknown reasons most of the other newspapers in vidarbha did not publish the news.
Wildlife activists take out symbolic funeral procession
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Mazhar Ali ,Times of India Nagpur, 24/07/09
Wildlife activists took out a symbolic funeral procession of wild animals on Thursday to express their solidarity with Bandu Dhotre who has launched fast unto death to protest against the proposed mine of Adani Power Limited (APL) in the core jungle are near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
Even as Dhotre’s agitation entered fourth day, his supporters have been devising innovative methods of protest to catch the attention of the people and administration. After successfully catching the attention of people through symbolic ‘Sadbuddhi Yadnya’ to ensure that better sense prevailed and mundan’ (tonsuring of head) on Tuesday.
Conservationists took out the symbolic funeral procession of wild animals to highlight that a time will come when the people and authorities will have to mourn the loss of wildlife if Adani’s mine is permitted.
“Part of Lohara jungle proposed for Adani’s coal mine is rich with flora and fauna. This patch not only acts as a corridor for tigers moving in or out of TATR, but is a habitat of several tigers and wild animals. If mine is allowed, then APL will get the licence to kill lakhs of trees, which ultimately result in the death of several animals,” said Dhotre.
The procession started from the agitation place and returned to the venue after crossing Priyadarshani square. Many conservationist and doctors of local IMA chapter took part in the funeral procession.
Dhotre begins fast unto death
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Vijay Pinjarkar,Times of India Nagpur, 22/07/09
CHANDRAPUR: Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, began his fast unto death agitation (satyagraha) on Monday in front of the district collectorate
here to oppose the proposed coal mine by Adani Power Limited (APL) in Lohara jungles near the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). This is the second time Dhotre has launched a satyagraha to oppose the proposed mine, which will threaten the existence of tigers and wildlife habitat in and around TATR.
Several conservationists joined in Dhotre’s protest, raising anti-Adani slogans and demanding stop to all mining activities by Adani or any other concern in the vicinity of TATR. They also took part in a protest march from Gandhi Chowk to collectorate.
Social workers and conservationists like Umesh Choube, Haribhau Kedar, Seema Sahu, Dyaneshwar Gurav, Swanand Soni, Sanjay Karkare, Yogeshwar Doodhpachare, Pradeep Deshmukh, Mukesh Walke and others took part in the protest march.
“After being deceived last time, this time I am alert and will not give up the satyagraha unless competent authorities reject all the mining projects that threaten the existence of tigers and rich flora and fauna near TATR,” said Bandu Dhotre. He had staged a similar satyagraha during the winter session of the assembly at Nagpur over the same demand and called it off after forest minister Babanrao Pachpute promised to come up with a solution to the issue.
“Pachpute, instead of rejecting the proposal of a mine in Lohara, constituted a study committee to mitigate the damage. The study group turned out to be an eyewash, as every body from the forest department on it was pushing for clearance of the project instead of opposing it. As the group was going against my demands, I resigned within an hour of the first meeting of the group,” said Dhotre, adding that this time no trick will move him from his stand.
“This time I am prepared to face any consequences and will withdraw only after I get a concrete promise to reject the Adani mine and other similar projects at Lohara and nearby jungles,” he said. Dhotre said the APL mines and other industrial groups coming up in the jungles would destroy the tiger corridor connecting TATR with other jungles.
Dhotre has said that his fast unto death will continue even as other conservationists back him by going on a chain hunger strike alongside him.
Earlier, when the march culminated at the district collectorate a delegation led by Dhotre met the district collector and submitted a memorandum of their demands.
Officials in hurry to pass mining project?
DNA
Ashwin Aghor,DNA Mumbai, 08/07/09
Despite clear indications from the principal chief conservator of forests (WL) about the adverse effects of mining project in Lohara forest, the state forest minister seems to be determined to overlook the letter and continue with the mining proposal of Adani Power Limited. It is learnt that the efforts are on to get it approved by the state forest ministry within next ten days.
The high level of opposition from environmentalists to the project was evident during the first and probably the last meeting of 10-member study group formed to recommend measures to reduce effects of mining on the flora and fauna around Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), held at Chandrapur on July 30. The meeting was convened at the office of conservator of forest, North Chandrapur forest circle.
Amidst strong protests, two of the 10-member study group resigned while another one walked out of the meeting questioning the basic motive behind constituting the committee. “The methodology adopted by the study group is eyewash, a mere formality to hush the voice of protesting conservationists. The basic question, which I pressed through hunger strike during last assembly winter session, of not allowing the project in Lohara near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) was not discussed at all,” said Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, a Chandrapur based NGO.
During the meeting, APL officials tried their level to convince how the mine and flora and fauna in Lohara jungles can co-exist, which is a streak contrast to his demand, Dhotre pointed out. “While the APL officers in the group are trying hard to convince their point, the forest officials, who should be expressing concern regarding the possible eco-disturbance that might occur due to the project, appeared to be mere spectators,” Dhotre said.
He resigned from the study group and walked out of the meeting as a mark of protest. Eco-Pro has filed a PIL which is pending with Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court and hence taking up proceedings regarding government level clearance to the mine without intimating the judicial bench will be held as contempt of court, Dhotre claimed.
Suresh Chopne of Green Planet Society, who is member of the study group, submitted a letter saying how the mine would be destructive for the environmental balance and the flora and fauna in Lohara forest and walked out of the meeting. “Hence forth, I will not participate in the proceedings of the study group,” he said.
When contacted, Shailendra Bahadur, who is convener of the study group, claimed that proceedings of the meeting were running smoothly but admitted to the fact that a member had resignation. The forest department officials apparently appear to be in a great hurry to rush Adani coal mine project in Lohara jungle.
ADANI BLOCK TOO DENIED NOD EARLIER
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Vijay Pinjarkar,Times of India Nagpur, 26/03/09
The coalmining project of Adani Power Limited (APL) in Lohara (west) appears headed for trouble with the revelation that the Union
ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) had rejected the application of Nippon Denro Ispat Ltd (NDIL) for the same block about a decade ago on the ground that it was too close to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
The TOI earlier this month had exposed how MoEF had denied mining permission in 1999 at Lohara (east) on the same ground but had allotted the block to a Nagpur-based company ten years later. At that time, Adani Power had said its block was in Lohara (west). It now turns out both blocks are in the same boat.
MoEF will have some serious explaining to do before the courts hearing PILs against the allotment on how an area thought rich in wildlife and close to TATR ten years ago is now suddenly safe for mining.
A letter in possession of TOI reveals that coal blocks in Lohara (west), which was allotted to Adani in 2007, were denied by the MoEF on April 7, 1999, to Nippon Denro for its proposed power plant at Bhadravati.
The letter written to state forest secretary by JP Misra, additional inspector general of forests (AIGP) of MoEF, stated: “After careful consideration of the proposal, the central government conveys its inability to approve the proposal for diversion of 745.54 hectares of forest land for extraction of coal in Lohara (west) under Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act 1980, since the proposal is not conducive to either environment or forest conservation.”
The NDIL had set up Central India Coal Company and was allotted three virgin coal blocks in 1995 by the coal ministry, with a proven geological reserve of about 334 million tonnes of power-grade coal.
GOVT DOUBLESPEAK ON LOHARA
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Vijay Pinjarkar,Times of India Nagpur, 14/03/09
The central government, now allotting coal-blocks to private parties in Lohara – close to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve – had ten
years ago rejected applications for the same blocks saying coalmining in the area will adversely affect wildlife and biodiversity of the area.
The shocking double standards of the government were exposed through a Right to Information query raised by TOI. It exposes how both the central and state governments were now taking a diametrically opposite stand to what they said in 1999 on Lohara coal blocks. Application for coalmining submitted by Associated Cement Company Ltd (ACC) for Lohara was rejected on February 3, 1999, vide letter issued by P L Ahujarai, joint director, ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).
The letter addressed to general manager of ACC states: “The project was considered by the MoEF in consultation with the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), Maharashtra. It falls close to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) and would adversely affect wildlife and biodiversity of the area. In view of this, we regret our inability to consider your proposal for environmental clearance and as such the proposal stands rejected.”
S K Das, vice-president of ACC (mining division), confirmed that company’s proposal for coalmines in Lohara (East) was rejected but could not provide details. “I’ll have to check with the corporate communication,” he said.
STATUS QUO ON LOHARA OPENCAST MINE PROJECT
THE HITAVADA
Nagpur, 14/03/09
The Civil Court here has provided status quo on the proceedings of the Lohara opencast coal mine project of Adani Power Ltd., coming up in the jungle near here, following a civil suit filed by one Paryavaran Mitra Bahuuddeshiya Santstha (PMBS), a local NGO, challenging the public hearing proceedings held in November last for environment clearance of the project.
As per details, the civil suit (case no. 300/2008) was filed with the Civil Court here on December 30 and Civil Judge (Senior Division) M M Sayyad issued temporary injunction on January 6, while hearing over the case. Sources have informed that Balu Chandekar, President PMBS, on behalf of his organisation had filed the suit and had alleged that the norms prescribed for public hearing for environment clearance of such project were not followed in the hearing held for the project on November 4, 2008. Deepak Dixit, Vice-President of PMBS, confirmed of filling of the suit in Civil Court and held that they have challenged the public hearing procedure observed for Lohara mine project by the administration. He informed that court has granted temporary injunction on the proceedings underway for the clearance of the project. When contacted C L Deshmukh, Assistant Public Prosecutor who is representing state government in the case, informed the Government of Maharashtra through District Collector is defendant in this case. They have filled a reply in the case on Wednesday with the court and next hearing in the case would be held on January 12, he added.
NGOs RUBBISH PANEL
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Vijay Pinjarkar,Times of India, Nagpur, 21/01/09
NGOs had termed forest minister Babanrao Pachpute’s one-sided decision to constitute a 10-member panel to make suggestions on how damage
to environment by the Adani coalmine in Lohara could be minimised as an eyewash.
The 10-member panel will include three NGOs from Chandrapur, two State Wildlife Board (SWB) members, two Adani officials, one government official, and two forest minister’s representatives as non-official members. Interestingly, NGOs from Chandrapur Bandu Dhotre, president of EcoPro, who had launched a hunger strike against the mine during assembly session, Yogendra Dudhpachare and Suresh Chopne of Green Planet had refused to be part of the panel saying it would not give justice.
Knowing well that Nagpur-based NGOs would be a hurdle in the panel, the minister turned down a request to include even one of them. In fact, many NGOs from Nagpur have wholeheartedly come out to oppose the mine and it was only due to their initiative that the discussions with the minister took place.
Sources said the minister will choose NGOs from Chandrapur that lack knowledge or resources to carry out the campaign. “It is like the ants taking on the elephant,” said Swanand Soni of ‘Ekjut’. “The two SWB members (one from Nagpur) whom the minister is going to appoint are in favour of Adani. So how can we expect justice,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pachpute said government would give all documents about the mining details, plan of overburden dumping, progressive mine closure, stabilisation and conservation plans and wildlife management details to the panel, which will make suggestions to Adani officials. He said the panel members would study the area and take views of people and give suggestions on how to minimise damage. Interestingly, the minister did not reveal the names of panel members.
TWO FACES OF PACHPUTE
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Vijay Pinjarkar,Times of India, Nagpur, 21/01/09
Forest minister Babanrao Pachpute on Tuesday showed two different faces while dealing with important protection and conservation issues.
He appeared unusually supportive of the proposed Adani coalmine project that many conservationists see as another nail into coffin of famed Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.
However, on massive tree felling and mining racket in Khapa forests highlighted by TOI, he wanted firm action against the culprits.
“There will be no discussion saying ‘no’ to coalmining in Lohara core zone. I am firm and have already cleared my views on it. I am positive and also want you to talk positively,” Pachpute told NGOs whom he had called to discuss the project at Van Sabhagriha on Tuesday. He told them he was only ready to discuss mitigating steps to be taken about the project.
On the other hand, he sounded tough on the issue of large-scale tree-felling and manganese theft in Khapa Forest Range, 45 kms from Nagpur. He ordered immediate transfers of all guards and foresters working there for more than three years. He also ordered action against the manganese leaseholders who had encroached upon forest land and extracted ore.
“There is no smoke without fire,” Pachpute told officials and warned N Rambabu, conservator of forests (CF), Nagpur Forest Division, “Action will be taken against you if you do not take action against the staffers involved.” He asked PCCF, Maharashtra, B Majumdar, to get the matter probed under S K Khetarpal, CCF, Nagpur circle. He also ordered transfer of field staff in two days, completion of probe by January 26, and finalisation of entire case by February 10.
Pachpute though was not ready to listen to the NGOs opposing the Adani mine which is going to destroy tiger corridor and affect entire Tadoba reserve, hardly 9 kms from the proposed mine. Frustrated by minister’s inflexible stand Swanand Soni, convenor of ‘Ekjut’, an umbrella organisation of all NGOs opposing the project, stood up to say that NGOs would oppose the project till their last breath.
It proved the last straw. Pachpute told them, “I have called you here, you have not called me for discussions. So you will have to hear me. I am a tough leader and know my powers, responsibilities and limits. I have not called you to say no to the Adani project. You only give me suggestions on what should be done.”
Pachpute did not even listen to seniors like Vijay Lalpalikar and Sanjay Deshpande, who urged that alternative sites from where coal can be extracted be considered. Pachpute was firm that he would send the Adani proposal to the Centre when it came before him. Frustrated NGOs then walked out of the meeting.
The proposal is now with the deputy conservator in Chandrapur. The Adanis have submitted a wildlife conservation plan to the chief wildlife warden last week. Of the 1,750 hectare land for coal blocks, around 1600 hectare is prime forest. Each day, 55 tonnes of explosives will be used by the company at the mining site.
Interestingly, the power company itself has admitted in its report that there will be huge damage to wildlife, but has claimed it will mitigate it. Pachpute also turned down the NGOs’ request that studies be carried out by institutes like Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), and Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, before clearing the project.
STATUS QUO ON LOHARA OPENCAST MINE PROJECT
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Times of India, Nagpur, 09/01/09. Page 6
Chandrapur: Amidst public outcry and agitations launched by conservationists against the proposed Lohara opencast coal mine project of Adani Power Ltd that would lead to destruction of dense jungle in nearly 1,500 hectare land, a civil court here has granted a status quo (temporary injunction) on the proceedings under way for clearance at different levels. An order to this effect was passed on a suit filed by Paryavaran Mitra Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha (PMBS), a non-government organisation (NGO).
The NGO had filed a regular suit (no. 300/2008) before civil court, alleging gross violation of norms at a public hearing held for environment clearance of the project by the administration, sources said. Balu Chandekar, president of PMBS, filed a civil suit on behalf of the organisation in the court on December 30, 2008, challenging the procedure for holding a public hearing for environment clearance for Lohara mine.
The plaintiff reportedly alleged flouting of rules and regulations laid down for such hearings. The hearing was held on November 4 last at the district collectorate.
Deepak Dixit, vice-president of PMBS, confirmed to have filed a suit challenging the public hearing procedure for environment clearance of the project. He said that the organisation had prayed for annulment of any clearance given to the project after the public hearing. Adv Sunil Purankar, counsel of the plaintiff, confirmed that civil judge (senior division) M M Sayyad, while hearing the case on January 6, had granted temporary injunction on any further proceedings held for the project after public hearing for environment clearance.
YET TO GET CLEARANCE, ADANI DEMARCATES AREA
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Times of India, Nagpur, 01/01/09. Page 5
Nagpur: Even as Adani Power Limited is yet to get forest and environment clearance from the state and central governments, it has demarcated the proposed coalmines at Lohara near Chandrapur.
At a time when NGOs and environmentalists are raising serious concern over overburdened coal mining in Chandrapur district, the demarcation casts shadow over the future of Lohara, where Adani mines are going devastate 1,600 hectare forests abundant with rich flora and fauna and biodiversity. The proposed area is hardly 9.8 kms from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
Sanjeev Dokey, general manager, Adani Power, says, the demarcation is not illegal and is result of the first inspection done by Pravin Chavan, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF), Chandrapur Forest Division, on December 2.
The second inspection will be conducted by R S Yadav, conservator of forests (CF), North Chandrapur Forest Circle (NCFC), soon. “If demarcation is not done, how will we know the area allotted to us. It’s the job of the forest department to evaluate the area,” Dokey said.
Shockingly, the demarcation has exposed the doublespeak of forest minister Babanrao Pachpute, who said that NGOs will be taken into confidence before conducting any ground work. A top forest official, on the condition of anonymity said, the minister’s plan is to engage NGOs in talks and give clearances to the company under the wrap.
Pachpute has called a meeting of NGOs in the third week of January. However, if Dokey is to believed, in 15 days the proposal will be with the state government (forest minister). Speaking to TOI, Dokey said, “We will submit the wildlife conservation plan to the PCCF (wildlife) in first week of January. After CF’s inspection, the report (proposal) will be sent to the nodal officer at Van Bhavan, Nagpur, who will clear it and forward it to the PCCF before sending it to the minister. This process is expected to take 15 days.”
When asked about alternative to Lohara, Dokey said, “It’s impossible. The area has 170 million tonnes of ‘D’ grade coal deposits, which is of good quality. The coal from many mines in Chandrapur is of ‘E’ and ‘F’ grade. We will explore 4 MT coal annually, which comes to 11,000 tonnes per day.”
Dokey admitted to largescale destruction of environment and wildlife but said, “Mining activity will not be in one go. We’ll divide 1,750 hectare lease area in three parts — overburden in 500 hectares and remaining portion will be equally divided in two parts. Mining will be done in the first part without disturbing the second part. Once first quarry is filled, second will be touched.”
The Adani Power is behaving in such a manner as if it has already got a go-ahead for mining. The company is in process of finalising degraded agriculture land in two patches in Ghatanji and Buldhana under compensatory afforestation. “We have signed a pact with the state government to supply power from Tiroda plant at Rs 2.64 per unit,” Dokey says.
Conservationist Prafulla Bhamburkar of Wildlife Trust of India, who toured the entire area recently, questioned the demarcation when clearance is not granted. The area is so beautiful you feel like going into a sanctuary. If the lease area is opened for tourism, government can earn lakhs of rupees. Besides, it will also ease pressure on Tadoba. From Lohara-Junona, tourists can enter Kolsa (TATR). The mining lease area is one of the best plain forests in central India.
When contacted, DyCF Chavan said, “The demarcation has been done as per the provisions. The company has to submit how much forest area is being acquired for non-forestry purpose. We have to evaluate the area.”
NGOS QUESTION VIABILITY OF LOHARA MINES
Vijay Pinjarkar | TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Times of India, Nagpur, 30/12/08. Page 6
Nagpur: Over 25 NGOs and dozens of volunteers striving to protect forests and wildlife, on Monday, questioned viability of coal mines proposed to be set up at Lohara in Chandrapur district by Haryana-based Adani Power Limited.
At a power point presentation made before forest minister Babanrao Pachpute at Vansabhagruha, Seminary Hills at 4.45 pm, the NGOs questioned viability of the project pointing out that when already there were 35 working mines in the district, was there any need for fresh mines?
Wastewater from existing mines is already contaminating water of rivers, lakes and streams in Chandrapur district besides it is also disturbing the ground water balance.
NGOs, under the banner ‘Ekjut’, warned that coalmines at Lohara would further deteriorate pollution levels in Chandrapur. Coalmines emit particulate matter and gases, including methane, sulphur-di-oxide and oxides of nitrogen. The main sources of noise pollution are blasting, movement of heavy earth-moving machinery, drilling and coal-handling equipment. All this will destroy wildlife present in abundance in Lohara.
“Around 25 tonnes of overburden is generated for every ton of coal production altering the landscape and resulting in floods,” said Parag Deshmukh of Shrushti. “The major cause of water pollution is the wastewater from coalmines which is the carry-over of the suspended solids in the drainage system of the mine drains,” he added.
Pachpute, who is not opposed to the project as such, was apprised that Lohara is the only green patch left around Tadoba. If this patch is also destroyed, Tadoba, which is hardly 9.8 kms from the proposed mines will also not survive. Even if the power company commits to compensatory afforestation, there are rare examples of successful plantations under the scheme.
Sandhya Edlabadkar of Centre for Environment Education Development (CEED), Chandrapur, pointed out several anomalies in the EIA (environment impact assessment) report of Adani. She said, “The EIA has skipped issues like alternatives, cost benefits, tree density and dependence of 25 villages on Lohara forests.”
Later, replying to the queries raised by the NGOs, general manager Adani Power Limited Sanjeev Dhokey made it clear that there was no alternative to Lohara mines. However, he told the minister that he had an open mind to incorporate suggestions made by the NGOs. “We are in process of modifying the EIA and anomalies in it will be removed,” Dhokey said. He also suggested to constitute a committee of officials and NGOs under the district collector. This committee will monitor the work of the company.
In his concluding remarks, Pachpute once again reiterated for development with minimum damage.
WHY THE OPPOSITION
Polluted water due to coalmines causes serious health problems to humans like typhoid, intestinal parasites, gastro-enteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach aches.
The annual average of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) of Chandrapur, which was 73 micrograms per cubic metre a few years ago, has now touched over 290 micrograms thus increasing illness
Increasing evidence of a link between ultra-fine particle pollution and heart disease, asthma and chronic lung diseases in the city.
Destruction of forests and wildlife habitat will expose tigers and other animals to pollution.
PACHPUTE FOR ‘MIDDLE PATH’ ON LOHARA MINES
Vijay Pinjarkar | TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Times of India, Nagpur, 23/12/08. Page 5
Nagpur: Maharashtra forest minister Babanrao Pachpute has called to find a viamedia solution on Lohara coalmine project of Adani Power Limited, Haryana, so that development goals are achieved and the damage to forests and wildlife is also minimised.
Speaking to TOI on Monday at the pandal where conservationist Bandu Dhotre was sitting on a fast unto death from December 15, against Adani coalmine project in Lohara, Pachpute promised to look into the concerns expressed by the NGOs on mining activity which would destroy more than 1,500 hectares of reserved forests.
On the minister’s request, Dhotre, who is also president of Eco-Pro, Chandrapur, called off the agitation at 4.35 pm. Instead of the NGOs going to Pachpute, the minister himself came calling which was seen as a victory of sorts by the NGOs. In the past two days, many NGOs, guardian minister of Chandrapur Anees Ahmed, and minister of state for home Nitin Raut had visited Dhotre and promised to look into the matter.
Pachpute said: “We should not stretch it to a point from where we cannot return. Solutions to problems are available only through discussions and I was ready for it. The department, Adani Group and NGOs will sit together with an open mind to find answers to minimise damage to the forests.”
Pachpute was accompanied by senior journalist Shyam Pandharipande. Honorary district wildlife warden Gopal Thosar, Neeraj Khandewale, Seema Shahu, Swanand Soni, Sanjay Karkare, Sanjay Deshpande and others were also present. Meanwhile, expressing reservation over the Adani coalmine in Lohara near Tadoba, MLC Kapil Patil on Monday raised the issue in the legislative council through an adjournment motion.
Pachpute also said he understood the concern being expressed about the status of forests and had got Rs 51 crore approved under the supplementary demands in the house to complete the pending works. He invited all the agitating NGOs to be part of the presentation on Lohara coalmine at Vansabhagruha on Monday evening.
PROJECT WILL AFFECT WILDLIFE: ADANI
Vijay Pinjarkar | TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Times of India, Nagpur, 23/12/08. Page 5
Nagpur: The wildlife conservation plan prepared by Haryana-based Adani Power Limited for Lohara coalmine project near Chandrapur, accepts the presence of abundant wildlife which will face a gloomy future due to the huge mining activity to be carried out as part of the project.
The wildlife plan states that mining will lead to a loss of habitat and ultimately affect wildlife population. It will also lead to loss of grazing grounds and forest resources such as firewood for local people, who are dependent on the lease area.
The plan also mentions that mining will cause disturbance to aquatic ecosystem of waterways passing through the mine. The worst part of the coalmines is that it will intensify man-animal conflict besides having a huge environmental impact.
Sanjay Dokey made an exclusive presentation for forest minister Babanrao Pachpute and a select top forest officials at Van Sabhagruha on Monday. Adani group has proposed to use 1,750 hectares of land to extract 4 million tonnes of coal per annum. The cost of the project is Rs 1,200 crores.
A flora and fauna survey in the mining lease area conducted by Envirosearch has found direct sightings of tigers and evidence of other carnivores and omnivores like wild dogs, jungle cat, grey mongoose, leopards, sloth bear, jackals, palm civet, porcupine, ratel, pangolin, palm squirrel and tree shrew. The survey has also found herbivores like gaurs, sambars, chitals, barking deer, nilgais, chowsinga, wild boars, langurs and hares. The plan states that as per 2006 census, there are 6 tigers in the area.
The power company itself is talking of the presence of wild animals but at the same time has suggested that it would try to mitigate the impact on wildlife by taking up active conservation of wildlife in the buffer area to lessen the problems for wildlife and to provide compensation for the habitat loss.
Dokey and Jayant Kulkarni of Envirosearch tried to convince the forest minister to undertake good mining practices by improving green belt, siltation ponds, awareness, natural landscaping and restoration of habitat. They also promised capacity building of forest department like supplying fire-fighting equipment and vehicles, creating water sources, staff training etc.
However, a section of NGOs, who attended the workshop said, “The tall promises made by Adani are akin to first killing a person and then bringing him back to life, which is impossible.”
RICH BIODIVERSITY
6 tigers present in the area as per 2006 census Presence of 121 bird species, both in core and buffer areas 273 plant species were recorded from 72 genera and 80 families Tree species — 72, small species — 20, shrub species — 17, herb species — 81 Vegetation includes teak, ain, tendu, mahua, dhawda, arjun, etc
39 herpeto-faunal species recorded in the area
THE AREA
Chandrapur forest division: 111.8 sq km (24%)
West Chanda FDCM division: 172 sq km (37%)
Central Chanda forest division: 15 sq km (3.2%)
Revenue land: 171 sq km (36%)
Expected mine life: 40 years
CONSERVATIONIST ON HUNGER STIR TO OPPOSE MINE
Vijay Pinjarkar | TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Times of India, Nagpur, 20/12/08. Page 5
Nagpur: Bandu Dhotre is a lone crusader. On a satyagraha (fast unto death) near Hislop College from December 15, the day winter session of the assembly started, the conservationist wants the state and central governments to stop Adani Power Limited, Gurgaon, from opening a coalmine in Lohara village, barely 9.8 km from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), in Chandrapur district.
Chandrapur-based Dhotre, who is also the founder of Eco-Pro, an ecological protection organisation, is fighting against all odds to see that no mining activity is allowed in the proposed buffer and ecosensitive zone of the TATR. Dhotre is being supported by city NGOs like Srushti Paryavaran Mandal, Green Planet, Sugandh and a large number of naturalists and environmentalists.
Talking to TOI, Dhotre said, “I’m not opposed to the power project as such but the Adani coalmines would completely destroy 1750 hectares of rich forest in Lohara. As the mines will be in the proposed buffer of TATR, it would also spell a death knell for the tiger reserve, which is breeding ground for Royal Bengal tigers.”
“Existence of tigers is one issue, but mining activity will also displace other wild animals from their home and will further worsen man-animal conflict which is at its peak. In the last 35 months, 45 villagers have been killed by tigers and leopards in Chandrapur district. The mines will also destroy the ‘Teak Clone Bank’ in Lohara, the only one of its kind in Asia,” Dhotre stressed.
Suresh Chopne of Green Planet said, “Over 4,000 villagers work as labourers in Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) and other forest ranges. The mines will leave many of them jobless. Besides, the mining activity will also destroy natural water resources for wildlife and deplete ground water level.”
Swananad Soni of Srushti said, “Already burdened with huge mining activity, Chandrapur has become the most polluted city of India. There are reports of acid rains in the past and even National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has reported that clouds of nitrous oxide hover over the district. There are 26 coal mines in Chandrapur and 22 more are proposed. Imagine the pressure these mines would put on the forests and wildlife.”
Of the total area of 1,750 hectares required for mining, 1,573.56 hectares is forest land and 94.63 hectares is private land. The mining lease (ML) has a high stripping ratio (1:13) and about 1,500 hectares of forest land is required for dumping. Life of the mine is 40 years and the entire lease area is dense forest falling in the reserve category and falls within the ecologically sensitive zone of 15 kms under the environment impact assessment (EIA) notification, 2006. The Adani proposal is pending for environment clearance with the ministry of environment of forests (MoEF).
Chandrapur leaders’ apathy
Political bigwigs from Chandrapur seem to be apathetic to save Tadoba. This was evident from the fact that MP Hansraj Ahir visited the pandal of agitating members of Gavli community on December 16, which is close to Bandu Dhotre’s site but Ahir chose not to visit Dhotre.
Similar was the case with MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar, who visited the agitating employees of Videocon, Warora, next to Dhotre’s pandal but ignored Dhotre. TNN
CLEARING FORESTS FOR COAL
DOWN TO EARTH
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20081215&filename=news&sec_id=4&sid=1
CALL TO SAVE ENVIRONMENT Oppn to Lohara mine grows
Vijay Pinjarkar | TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Times of India, Nagpur, 24/11/08. Front Page
Chandrapur: Protest against the proposed Lohara opencast coal mine project of Adani Power Ltd is gaining strength with around two dozen conservationists from Nagpur and other places on Sunday gathered in the town to pledge their support to local NGOs waging struggle against the mining project. In the meeting held here in the afternoon, conservationists discussed future strategy of the protest against project. According to them over 12 lakh trees will be cut if the project is materialised. The local NGO activists briefed the visitors in detailed about the efforts they have taken to oppose the project. They informed as to how the project will destroy environment and jeopardise the safety of the rich wildlife in the jungle. Sanjay Karkare, a senior conservationist, stressed upon chalking out an action plan for the future protest with the help of local NGOs and the people. Some other suggested that it should be not looked as only protest to particular mining project, but should be considered in broader view where jungles are chopped to gain material benefits in the name of development. The participants concluded that struggle against the Lohara mine should be fought on two fronts, namely mass awareness, and on legal front. Swanand Soni, a wildlife activist, said, “Mass awareness including motivating villagers, signature campaign from school and college level, pamphlets, posters and hoardings in Chandrapur and other key places to evoke public response should be taken up.”
Mining may muffle tiger’s roar
Ashwin Aghor MUMBAI DNA, 22/11/2008
The predator has become the prey again. The very existence of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), in Chandrapur district, which is a home to many tigers, is being threatened.
The state government is all set to allow coal mining in the vicinity of the tiger reserve. Avinash Warzurkar, chairman, Mining Corporation of Maharashtra, is lobbying for allotment of coal blocks to Adani Power Limited. The corporation is also toying with the idea of floating a joint venture with the company.
Warzurkar is known to have tried to persuade Babanrao Pachpute, state forest minister, who is also advocating the project, to delay declaration of buffer zone around the TATR.
He also confirmed his meeting with Pachpute. “The company will have to submit a proposal to state government which would be sent to the central government for final approval,” Pachpute said.
On the other hand, there are people backing up the tigers as well. Amit Girhe, Srushti Paryawaran Mandal, Nagpur, said, “Mining is being planned by the company in Agarzari block which is connecting TATR. Since the population of carnivora is on the rise, commissioning of the coal mine will escalate the current problem of man-animal conflict.”
The project has already invited strong opposition from environmentalists and NGOs. “We do not think that the ministry of coal has considered all the environmental aspects in the case of proposed Lohara Coal project while allocating land. We oppose the project as it is going to prove detrimental to the TATR and the environment in Chandrapur district,” said Nishikant Kale, president of Nature Conservation Society,
Amravati (NCSA).
Environment min sees green, chooses forests over mining
Ruhi Kandhari NEW DELHI Economic Times, 20/11/2008, Page No.7
THE ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) has turned down ministry of mines’ proposal to ease environmental regulations for mineral exploration in forests. MoEF’s tough stand may adversely impact investments in locating new mineral reserves in the country. Global mining majors such as Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto — who have invested in exploration for minerals — may restrict their expansion plans. MoEF apprehends that relaxing environmental regulations will destruct precious forest reserves. Restrictive regulations include permission to test drill holes to roughly one borehole per sq km. The hole should not be more than 10-cm diameter. Most of the country’s mineral wealth is under forest cover and location of minerals by drilling test holes may harm wildlife. Mines ministry had approached MoEF seeking simpler environmental regulations, as investment in exploration in the country remains paltry. In the wake of a report by Metals Economics Group, which says the country’s share of global investment in exploration was a mere 0.5%, government plans to attract private investment in exploration. In order to safeguard the forest reserves and wildlife, MoEF has argued the ministry can only allow drilling of 15 boreholes in a 10-sq km area, a mines ministry official, who did not wish to be identified, said. However, mines ministry suggests the number of boreholes generally goes up to 20 boreholes per sq km depending on the mineral and type of deposit. Mines ministry additional secretary Vijay Kumar said his ministry had written to MoEF requesting softer regulation to allow exploration of minerals in forestrich areas. “Procedures to get clearances for exploration are as stringent as the actual activity of mining the mineral. They need to be simplified,” he told ET. He added that MoEF’s sentiment is that once metals are located, there will be considerable pressure to mine them. To further negotiations in this regard, mines ministry secretary Shantanu Consul said the mines ministry will negotiate further with the environment ministry. “We don’t see why there should be a problem. We will try to convince them,” he said. The Planning Commission report, National Mineral Policy (NMP), 2008, suggests the ministry of mines and MoEF should jointly set up a working group to prepare a Sustainable Development Framework especially tailored to the context of the mining environment to sort the environmental and forests clearances. It says the level of waste-generation is minimal at the exploration stage, further suggesting that exploration — both regional and specific — should be exempted from environmental clearance. NMP 2008 envisages 100% exploration of all potential areas and exploitation limited to such areas where it is possible to take suitable measures for restoration of the ecological balance.
City NGOs too oppose Adani mine project
Vijay Pinjarkar | TNN Times of India, Nagpur, 10/11/08. Front Page
Nagpur: In a bid to oppose Adani Power Limited coalmine project in Lohara village, 12 kms from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, city-based NGOs and citizens have formed a pressure group to oppose the proposed mining lease to the company. On an initiative taken by Srushti Paryavaran Mandal, an environment protection and wildlife conservation group, the NGOs, at a meeting held at Tilak Vidyalaya, Dhantoli, at 9.30 am on Sunday, chalked out a plan of action to back their counterparts fighting the lease in Chandrapur. The meeting was attended by honorary district wildlife warden Gopal Thosar, senior journalist Shyam Pandharipande, environmentalists Vijay Lapalikar, Pradip Behere and Swanand Soni, president and secretary respectively of ‘Srushti’, Sanjay Karkare of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Rajeev Deshpande, Dilip Mhaisalkar, Arjun Soni, Parag Deshmukh and several others. ‘Other coal blocks too can be used’ Nagpur: City-based NGOs and citizens formed a pressure group on Sunday to oppose the proposed mining lease to Adani Power Limited coalmine project in Lohara village. Speaking to TOI, the members made it clear that they were not in any way opposed to the company’s power project in Tiroda which would supply cheap power. “We only want the Adanis to reconsider the existing location of coalmine which is very close to Tadoba. There are several other coal blocks identified by the Coal India Limited (CIL) which can cater to the needs of the proposed unit.” Elaborating, environmentalist Vijay Lapalikar said, “There are many coal blocks on Bhadravati-Warora road which can be considered. In Nandori, 160 million tonnes (MT) coal is available followed by 120 MT in Kondha and 105 MT in Ekarjuna. In these places, coal can be extracted with minimum rehabilitation. Why is Adani group hellbent on lease only near Tadoba?” Thosar highlighted how rules
were violated at the public hearing and villagers were not allowed to speak. A day before the second hearing, Lohara villagers were misled and were told that the hearing was for NGOs only and they need not come. “The mining lease issue is not limited to 1400 people of Lohara but entire population of four lakh people in Chandrapur. It is a longdrawn battle,” he stressed. Karkare of BNHS stressed on the need for fighting the project on technical grounds by conducting ground-level study about flora and fauna which was in abundance in the proposed area. The members asked how, when several proposals for irrigation and mining by various industries were rejected, Adani was getting clearances so quickly? Chandrapur already had a lot of industries and mines and had one of the highest pollution levels in India, they said. The state government had itself prepared an action plan against increasing pollution in the town, they pointed out. The coalmine in Lohara will only add to that pollution, they added. They further said, “Daily, APL is going to use 55 tonnes of explosives to mine 50,000 tonnes of coal. This activity will destroy forests, degrade environment and finish wildlife in the area. There is tiger movement near Lohara and people have even sighted tigress with cubs in Junona forests. The environment impact assessment (EIA) of Adanis does not mention current scenario and the consequences after commissioning the proposed mine.” The speakers called for a study on current status of public health, potable drinking water quality, air quality and concentration of air pollutants in the area. NGOs’ line of action Mass awareness campaign among the people through slide shows, lectures, audio visual programmes. Pressure group to write to APL to reconsider present site. To collect technical information on frequent flooding of rivers around Chandrapur, water resources, lakes, rivers, wildlife, forest cover, power generation facilities available to stand a legal case in future. To build pressure on government departments and other agencies involved in granting clearances to the project. Create a fund to meet legal and other related expenses. Proper documentation and videography of how overburden of existing mines is playing havoc with flora and fauna. To support Chandrapur-based NGOs in all matters. If need be, a separate banner will be established under which all bodies will work. TNN
Maneka opposes Adani coalmine in Lohara
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Times of India, Nagpur, 08/11/08. Front Page
Nagpur: Environmentalist MP Maneka Gandhi has strongly protested Adani group’s proposal for a coalmine lease in Lohara village, 12 km from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district.
In a letter written to the Maharashtra government, Gandhi has also questioned legal status of the project so close to a tiger reserve. She has claimed that the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) of 1980 strictly prohibited any mining activity in the proximity of national reserves.
The MP has asserted that the TATR was one of India’s last remaining tiger habitats, and that the national animal was already on the verge of extinction. Any such project will seriously affect the habitat of the tigers. Even earlier, such encroachments had forced tigers to venture out of their territory, endangering lives of the populace as well, she wrote.
Also, strong protests, claimed Gandhi, by the local population and NGOs were observed in two hearings held recently on this matter. On one occasion, the meeting had to be adjourned. “It seems, thus, that the local response to this project is absolutely negative,” her letter said. Gandhi has requested an intervention by state forest minister Babanrao Pachpute to disallow any coalmine in the area.
Minister pushes power project for ‘development’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Times of India, Nagpur, 08/11/08. Front Page
Nagpur: “I’m out of my office for the past 5-6 days and hence could not confirm whether the letter from Gandhi has been received my office or not.” This was what forest minister Babanrao Pachpute said to TOI over phone from Akola when asked about the controversy over the Adani mine project at Lohara. However, the minister seemed supportive of the project saying it is a question of development of the state and people of the region who are going to get 2000 MW electricity.
“Allotment of land will be as per law with law and money will be charged as per the current rates. We will ensure that there is no violation of Forest Conservation Act. In lieu of land transfer of any forest land for the project, afforestation in double the area will be undertaken,” Pachpute asserted. Adani power plant coming up near Tiroda in Gondia district has support of Pachpute’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The proposal involves diversion of road passing through the mining lease (ML). The power project is 200 km from the coalmine and coal would be transported by rail. A railway line will be constructed for the purpose. This may result in tigers and other animals getting run over by trains.
Of the total area of 1750 hectares required for mining, 1573.56 hectares is forest land and 94.63 hectares is private land. The ML has a high stripping ratio (1:13) and about 1500 hectares of forest land is required for dumping. Life of the mine is about 40 years. The entire lease area is dense forest land falling within the reserve forest and falls within the ecologically sensitive zone of 15 kms under the environment impact assessment (EIA) notification, 2006. It is also proposed to be included in the buffer of TATR.
Pachpute defends mining project in Lohara forest
The Hitavada, Nagpur, 22/10/08. Page 13
Chandrapur: Babanrao Pachpute, State Forest Minister, expressed his mute consent to mining project at Lohara jungle near here while interacting with scribes at a press conference held at the house of Wamanrao Zade, senior Nationalist Congress Party leader, on Tuesday. Pachpute said that the state was in grave deficit of 4500 MW power and in such a situation if some companies are extending helping hand then their request needs serious consideration. The power project coming up in Tiroda is coal based and the land it needs for mining near Chandrapur will only be allocated after due fulfillment of the norms, he stressed. Pachpute informed that the mine will be permitted only after the company pays net present value of jungle land, provide equal area at other place and raise jungle on it.
Awareness rally at TATR draws flak
The Hitavada, Nagpur, 23/09/08. Page 13
CHANDRAPUR: Eco-Pro, an Ecological Protection Organisation, has strongly criticized the district administration for holding a race under the banner of Save Tiger Rally by Commonwealth Games Baton Relay at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) on Tuesday. In a press release issued here, the organisers have welcomed the move of Save Tiger Rally but said it was futile to conduct the event at TATR when it is close on Tuesday. As per the schedule, the rally will take a halt at Mohurli on Monday night and start the run on Tuesday morning at TATR. Since TATR is closed on every Tuesday, vehicles
are strictly prohibited in the resort. The entry is banned to pedestrians as well. The district administration and sports officer have jointly conducted the event. The awareness rally will serve no purpose when TATR is closed and people are nowhere around. Eco-Pro further suggested that if the administration is serious about their intention to spread the message of saving tigers, it should arrange the same event on Chandrapur-Lohara Stretch various proposed projects are posing threat to the
wildlife and also the flora and fauna of Junona jungle.
Protests mark coal project’s public hearing Sep. 12th, 2008
The Hitavada, Nagpur, 12/09/08. Page 13
CHANDRAPUR: The public hearing of the proposed Opencast Coal Mine (OCM) project of Adani Power Limited has been postponed by the collector as no decision could be taken at the meeting held in Safalya Bachat Bhavan, on Thursday here. The project, as expected, is facing a stiff resistance from all the fronts like Eco Protectionists, villagers from Lohara and local public representatives. Apart from large number of villagers from Lohara, NGO members, scribes, representatives of Thaper company, Director, Adani Power Limited and company’s General Manager Sanjeev Dokey attended the meeting. The meeting ended up in turmoil after witnessing an atmosphere charged with the shouting of slogans by the NGO activists and allegations of all sorts from large number of people. The very wisdom of the allotment of the prime forest land to the projects like these was questioned. It was recollected on the occasion that many important projects of irrigation were collecting dust since many decades due to the strict norms prescribed in Forest Conservation Act. Jainuddin Jhaveri, MLC, said that the people will not tolerate if the said 1,750 hectares of the prime forest land is leased out to the Adani Power Limited. The situation like that of Singur in West Bengal was on hands if the lease is sanctioned, said the MLC. Sudhir Mungantiwar, BJP MLA criticised the company’s unconvinced approach towards the claims made regarding the development of the area affected. He praised the villagers for attending the meeting in large numbers which translated their resistance to the said project, which would be directly affecting their lives in most adverse manner. He asked the necessity behind the leasing out of the prime land to the company in open violation of the Forest Policy – 2008 of the State Government which was recently declared. He also suspected the advantages Chandrapur and Lohara people will be getting after the commissioning of the said project on the backdrop of the present scenario of ever rising pollution and the other ills which will definitely be coming with the project. The recently conducted survey said that Maharashtra needed to have forest cover on 49.60 lakh hectares in addition to its existing forests. Despite the proposal to offer the prime forest land to a private company appeared to be fishy, alleged the MLA. He said that the Adani Group will not suffer if the said lease was denied as they are the country’s largest coal importers. The company should seriously consider some other method of coal extraction which will not destroy the wild life and jungles. Mungantiwar demanded the postponement of the public hearing for four months by which
time the company could come with the improved project report mentioning clearly the means and ways of development of the area. MLA Shobhatai Fadnavis said that the permission should be sanctioned only after paying proper compensation and resettlement of the affected. It was also felt by Avinash Thavri of Congress that instead of the opencast mine, an underground mining activity could be undertaken with minimum damage to the nature. Other political personalities from various parties like Vinod Dattatrey, Vijay Madavi, Adv Bhagwan Patil also opposed the project. The gathered mob went out of control and the police force was summoned when the Sarpanch of Lohra inadvertently said that a compensation of Rs 20,000 should be paid for every acre of land instead of collectively Rs 2,00,000. The meeting witnessed an uproarish scene when some of the villagers charged towards dais. Hansraj Ahir, MP, tried to pacify the villagers but failed to do so. Mungantiwar suggested the postponement of the meeting for four months.
MSMC to set up 540 MW coal-based thermal power plant at Nagbhid
The Hitavada, Nagpur, 29/02/08. Page 10
Maharashtra State Mining Corporation (MSMC) is going to set-up 540 MW coal based Thermal Power Plant at Nagbhid in Chandrapur District. MSMC Chairman Dr Avinash Warjurkar and Managing Director D G Philip while talking to mediapersons on Thursday, said that Central Government has allotted Coal mine block at Garepelma Sector II in Raigad District at Chattisgarh to MSMC. Dr Warjurkar said that this coal will be used for the power plant. The block has an estimated coal reserve of 175 million mt, which is sufficient to feed the power plant for next 20 years. He said that MSMC has drawn up an ambitious plan to unlock the value in the mining and power business through Public Private Partnership (PPP). The power plant will cost around Rs 2,500 crore. The water will be available from Gosikhurd Project near project site. He said that the power project will generate employment for the people of Vidarbha. The corporation has also set-up detailed plan for making conducive environment to set up the power plant at proposed site. He informed that around 150 acres of government land is available at Nagbhid while MSMC will purchase another 500 acres of land directly from the farmers’ at present market rate. Philip informed that big power companies are taking interest in setting up power plant at Nagbhid. The companies are Jindal Steel and Power, Tata Power, Abhijeet Group, Sunflag, Ispat India, L&T, Emco, Wardha Power, Adani Group, Kalptaru, Indo Rama and many others. MSMC will form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with the company finally selected to erect power plant. Warjurkar said that MSMC is playing the instrumental role in taking new initiatives not only in the existing mining business but also beyond mining by entering in to the business of power generation. The corporation has also drawn an ambitious plan of value addition in to various ores produced instead of being just a mineral mining and selling company. Corporation has appointed aXYKno Capital Services Ltd, financial consultant to advise on the scaling up. Philip said, MSMC is also looking for the mining opportunities in the PPP format going forward. It has also JV partners to work under PPP model for other coal blocks also, namely blocks situated at Agarzari near Chandrapur, Warora and Makri- Zari- Jamni-Adkoli, Yavatmal District. Corporation is also planning to set up a cement plant and has also applied to the authorities for allotment of limestone mine at DEVelmari-Katepalli for the same. The Cement plant will also be situated in the Maharashtra state itself. MSMC also plans to be a pioneer among the state PSUs in meeting out its corporate social responsibilities, he stated.
We have acquired 30 coal mines in Chanda for Tirora plant: Mittal
The Hitavada, Nagpur, 08/02/08. Page 13
GONDIA: Setting aside speculation that Adani Group’s proposed mega power project may be a non-starter, Director and Chief Convenor Pradip Mittal confirmed that project will definitely come up at Tirora MIDC. Mittal who visited proposed power plant’s site at Tirora MIDC on Thursday to take stock of the arrangements for Prime Minister’s visit on February 9, further told the newsmen that the project will bring lot of employment opportunities and prosperity to both Bhandara and Gondia districts. Dilip Bansod, MLA, Rajendra Jain, MLC, H M Chaudhari, Chief Project Co-ordinator, were prominently present on the occasion. Chaudhari informed that Adani Power Maharashtra Private Limited has already acquired 30 coal mines of Lohara West and Lohara extrusion of Chandrapur. The project will be based on chinese technology and chinese turbines will be installed in the proposed plant that is expected to generate capacity of 1 lakh MW per year on completion, added Chaudhari.
‘Plans to increase proposed Tirora plant’s capacity to 3000 MW’
The Hitavada, Nagpur, 05/02/08. Page 11
Adani Group, that is coming up with proposed 2000 MW power project at Tirora in Gondia district, has plans to expand its generation capacity to 3000 MW, informed H M Chaudhari, Chief Project Co-ordinator, here on Monday. The group has acquired 500 acres of land for the proposed project and another 500 acres will be required further. “If everything goes well, the power plant will expand its generation capacity to 3000 MW from proposed 2000 MW. And if that happens the project, titled as Adani Power Maharashtra Limited, will become country’s biggest power producer,” he added.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the proposed project at Tirora MIDC on February 9, Although, there is no binding in Maharashtra on private power plants, it is very likely that 75 per cent of the power to be generated at the project will be supplied to state government, Chaudhari said. The first two units of 660 MW capacity each will be commissioned in January 2011, he said. About 2000 skilled and unskilled workers together will get employment due to the project, he added. Before finalising Tirora site, a team of experts had also visited Chandrapur as coal availability there is easy and cut on transportation cost is possible, Chaudhari said. But the idea of setting up the project there had to be dropped as water, land and other things were not easily available, he said. Chairman Gautam Adani finalised the Tirora site on insistence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, said Chief Project Coordinator. Here, the demand for water will be fulfilled by Dhapewada Lift Irrigation scheme through Wainganga river’s water, he said. The coal can be easily transported to the site from the nearby Kachewani railway station, he added.
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