Hasdeo-Arand coal mines
The Hasdeo-Arand coal mines are a 5 million ton-per-annum (MTPA) network of mines on the Hasdeo-Arand coalfield in Chhattisgarh state, India.
Location
The map below shows the approximate location of the Hasdeo-Arand mines, in Korba district, Chhattisgarh state.
Background on Mine
The 5 million ton-per-annum Hasdeo-Arand coal mines is owned by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (a subsidiary of state-owned Coal India). The exact location of all of these mines is unclear. There are also other coal mines on the larger Hasdeo-Arand coalfield, such as the private Parsa East-Kete Basan coal mines.[1][2]
2012-Present: Youth and indigenous-led protests to #SaveHasdeo
The Hasdeo Arand in Chhattisgarh is one of the largest intact forests in central India. It’s also the site of India’s longest anti-coal protest by indigenous communities. The Hasdeo Arand coalfield, spread over 1,878 square km (725 square miles) has 23 new coal blocks, with 7 being approved so far.[3] This region is home to 20,000 Adivasi (indigenous) people. The reserve contains 18 identified coal mines, and the existing Parsa East-Kete Basan (PEKB) mine has already destroyed vast swaths of land. The recently greenlit, 1,252,447 hectare second phase of Parsa mine will require the felling of 200,000 trees.[4] Both projects are run by the coal giant Adani.
Protests against the mining operations have included a 300km (186mi) walk to the capital by 350 people, flash mobs, constant social media updates, encampments within the forest, months-long sit-ins, work from activist organizations like Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan and Adani Watch, and even music videos from groups like Lalit Sahu. [5]
While protests have been ongoing for a decade now and have been largely led by Adivasi, in recent years support from groups across Chhattisgarh and worldwide have been popping up. Many actions have been led by youth in the area, notably 11 year-old Licypriya “Licy” Kangujam who has been been addressing the UN since age 9, with a focus on environmental harms and climate change.[6] Friends of Hasdeo Arand allege that fake gram sabhas (general assemblies of local voters) were used to indicate that local tribes consented to the mining projects, while locals have largely stood in opposition. Organizations have also alleged that the land was acquired illegally.[7]
Hasdeo is known for its Asian elephants, which clash with humans more frequently as their habitats are razed. Encounters have led to 325 human and 70 elephant deaths between 2015 and 2020.[8]
Mine Details
- Sponsor: South Eastern Coalfields Limited
- Parent company: Coal India
- Location: Korba district, Chhattisgarh state, India
- Coordinates: 22.86, 82.31 (approximate)
- Status: Operating
- Capacity: 5 MTPA
- Reserves: 5,529 MT
- In service:
- Permits:
- Coal type:
- Mining method: Surface and underground
- Source of financing:
Articles and resources
References
- ↑ SECL - Coal Resources/Reserves as per UNFC as on 01.04.2011, CMPDI website, accessed May 2015.
- ↑ Key Performance Highlights of SECL in 2012-13, SECL/Ministry of Coal website, accessed May 2015.
- ↑ www.ETEnergyworld.com. "Feature: Flash mobs and YouTubers boost India anti-coal mining protests - ET EnergyWorld". ETEnergyworld.com. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ↑ Survival International. "India: massive coal mining expansion in tribal forests green-lighted". www.survivalinternational.org. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ↑ "Coal mine extension approved in Hasdeo forests, local tribals protest". india.mongabay.com. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ↑ "Meet Licy of India – one of the world's youngest climate campaigners". Meet Licy of India – one of the world’s youngest climate campaigners (in Türkçe). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ↑ "Explained: The battle over mining in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo forest". The Indian Express. 2022-05-29. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
- ↑ "Adani and the Elephants of the Hasdeo Aranya Forest". Adani Watch. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
