Chhattisgarh: Locals extend support for Kete Extension Opencast Mine project in Hasdeo Aranya region of Surguja

Amidst the persistent protests against the coal mining projects being operated in the heart of Hasdeo region by a section of people launching protests, agitations largely under the banner of a few Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) claimed to be working for environmental stability, a significant chunk of the local residents has extended its support to the proposed extension of the coal mine project in Kete of Surguja.

The development occurred amidst many organisations and a portion of media running a persistent campaign against the mining project in the heart of Chhattisgarh’s Surguja region, branding it as a threat to the region’s bio diversity. The overall opposition of the said mining projects witnessed large agitations launched by a section of the local villagers mostly under the banner of a movement namely “Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Andolan”.

However contrary to the claims of these NGO’s, the villagers of Udaipur development block of Surguja on August 2 participated in a “Jan Sunwai” (Public Meeting) of Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board and extended their support to the proposed Kete Extension Open Cast Mine Project claiming that such a project will boost employment opportunities for the locals along boosting health and education facilities.

The meeting which witnessed participation of hundreds of villagers of Udaipur development block including of areas such as Kete, Parsa, Basen and Chakeri along with other villages close to the meeting place concluded with a consensus that opening of mines in the area will benefit the residents.

During the public hearing the officials of the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL), a unit of the Rajasthan government who has been allotted with the mining project in the region since 2012 assured that the corporation will bring prosperity to the local residents.

Villagers extended support to Kete Extension project

The views of the official were also echoed by a number of local representatives who asserted that such a project will open the door for the development of the region along providing employment opportunities to the local residents. Many of the local representatives while extending their support to the project also trained guns on those running a campaign to stop the mining project.

The villagers cited that the Adani group, the Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) of the RRVUNL has commenced many social initiatives under the Parsa East Kanta Basan (PEKB) whose positive impacts are evidently visible on the ground. Schools and hospitals have been established under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the areas under the PEKB and such facilities will also come up in the Kete Extension project.

Notably, a number of local representatives had earlier submitted memorandum to Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai and Surguja’s collector to hold the public hearing pertaining to the Kete Extension on time.

“With the commencement of the Kete Extension coal block project, there will be holistic development of the region, with better scope in education, employment, and health, besides the expansion of other basic amenities for the people. We have witnessed this in the earlier project,” stated the memorandum signed by 5 village sarpanches, four up-sarpanches, and other villagers, reported The New Indian Express on July 21.

Environmental concerns and large scale forestation drive

It must be noted that agitations pertaining to opposition of coal mining projects in the Hasdeo Aranya region have been turning head for quite some time where a significant chunk of locals were seen echoing their voices against the clearance of forests for the continuation of the project.

Those who were seen protesting against the mining projects have time and again raised their concern over the cutting of trees (some put the figures around 96000) citing that this will have implications on the bio-diversity of the region in the long run along affecting a large chunk of tribal population who depends upon the forest produce for their livelihood.

However, those who are in support of the mining projects claims that large scale forestation drive has already been carried out by the company involved with the mining project under which around 1.2 millions of saplings have already been planted which will eventually lead to the recovery of forest areas scrapped under the ongoing project. They further opined that opening up of such mines will bring holistic development in these remote regions and hindrance in the extension and smooth operation of the project will only mean no development and lack of employment opportunities for the locals along halting of the nation’s economic progress in long run.