Residents seeking cancellation of coal mining in Chhattisgarh’s Hasdeo Arand begin march

In 2009, the environment ministry categorised Hasdeo Arand as a “no-go” zone for mining because of its rich forest cover. But the region was opened again to mining

Updated on: Oct 8, 2021, 13:05:11 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Around 250 residents of Chhattisgarh’s Hasdeo Arand started a march from Surguja district to Raipur, around 330 kilometres away, on Monday demanding cancellation of all coal mining projects in their region. Environmentalists and activists are also taking part in the march.

“The representatives of all 30 villages of Hasdeo Arand ... are part of this padayatra (foot march) demanding justice from state and Central government by cancelling all coal mining projects in the region,” said Alok Shuka, the convener of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, which works for tribal rights in the state.

The villagers are also demanding that all land acquisitions without prior consent from village councils be immediately withdrawn.

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There are 23 coal blocks in Hasdeo Arand, which is one of the largest contiguous stretches of dense forest in central India spanning 170,000 hectares. In 2009, the environment ministry categorised Hasdeo Arand as a “no-go” zone for mining because of its rich forest cover. But the region was opened again to mining.

Jayanandan, a resident of Fatehpur village in the region, said the aim of the march was to tell the government that for them forests are important than mining. “The protest for our demands will continue.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More