Coal news and updates

In an unprecedented show of support, over 1,500 volunteers from 133 cities across the globe turned Van Satyagrahis, who raised a banner to save Mahan forests from Essar and Hindalco's proposed coal mines in Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh. 

 

The final stage forest clearance granted by former minister of environment and forests Veerappa Moily in February this year affected the hopes and aspirations of over 50,000 forest dwellers from 54 villages, whose lives and livelihoods are being threatened by the proposed coal mine. 

 

"I might live miles away from Mahan but I can feel the pain of the people there. Youngsters like us should stand together and join their fight to save Mahan," said Iftikaar Llobding from Leh. 

 

"The solidarity events in close to 133 cities show Essar and the new government that the people of India want to preserve their forests and want justice for the thousands of people who will be affected if the forests in Mahan are destroyed," says said Samit Aich, executive director, Greenpeace India. 

 

Last week, 150 community members, peacefully confronted Essar officials and police from carrying out ground work for the proposed coal mine, following which four activists were arrested and one assaulted in police custody. These activists were engaged in the Van Satyagraha since February this year. 

 

Three out of four activists have been granted bail so far. Greenpeace and Mahan Sangharsh Samiti (MSS) have approached the high court in Jabalpur for the release of the fourth activist, Bechanlal Shah of Amelia village. 

 

"Essar's officials have been pressurising the villagers, who have been exposing the wrongdoings," said Aich. 

 

MSS member Anita Kushwaha said: "It gives us great courage when we see people from across the world standing in support of our fight against Essar. We will fight and we will win." 

 

The basis of this clearance is a forged gram sabha resolution. The community members have gathered evidence through RTI that suggests that several signatures in the resolution were forged and included signatures of even those who died years ago.

 

 

Source: ToI