People demonstrated against 1 lakh tree cutting for Naini coal block in Chhendipada
By Bijay Mishra
Angul , 28-12-24
Thousands of local affected people , leaders of Congress & BJD , leaders of local organisations and social activists have staged massive protest against tree cutting in about 783 ha forest land in Chhendipada block of Angul District by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) of Naini coal block .
Thousands of people under the leadership of Congress leader Sashmita Behera , BJD leader & Ex- MLA Sushanta Behera in a big rally marched to the forest land & tree cutting site of Naini Coal block and demonstrated against the tree cutting. Affected people of Angul in general & villagers of Karadabahali, Brahmanbil , Chhendipada, kankurpal, Dahibara of Chhendipada Tahasil in particular along with leaders of “Chhendipada Bikash Samiti”, “ Anchalika Surakshya Manch”, Activists Jagadananda Pradhan , Kesab Bhutia , Udaynath Behera, Sabita Dhir , Jiten Sahu , Sudeep Mishra , Dharanidhar Garnaik , Dr Biswajit Ray - Convenor of Sarbaseva Sangh Andolana,Sasanka Sekhar Barik - President of Angul Sarvodaya Mandal , Surya Narayan Natha- State Coordinator of Rastriya Youva Sangathan participated in the demonstration.
Process has been started to cut around one lakh valuable trees for Naini Coal Mine of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in Chhendipada Tahasli of Angul district and already 3 thousands trees have been cut .
The agitated people complained that , it will denude around 783 ha forest land of Chhendipada area and will pose great threat to the environment and wild animals, especially elephants.
The management of Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) has stepped up efforts to commence the coal mining in the Naini Block allotted to it and also to set up a 2×800 megawatt thermal power project close to the coal block without the consent of the people , solely depending on forest and agriculture. There is widespread resentment among the people as proposed felling of more than one lakh standing trees in the reserve forest of Chhendipada for Naini Opencast Coal Mine will cause and enhance significant disturbance to elephant population in Angul district .
Mrs Sashmita Behera told that , “ we strongly oppose the efforts of the Government to facilitate coal mining at Chhendipada , overlooking wildlife concern , Man - Elephants conflict , deforestation and subsequent ecological disaster”
The State Forest Department ascertained that 1,05,092 trees would have to be felled in Chhendipda reserve forest . “ However actually around 10 lakh trees would have to be felled for this coal block . Important timber species include Sal , teak ,Sunari , Dharua and non-timber forest produce species Chara,Mahula and Tentuli will be cut for this purpose.” - told Mrs Behera.
Naini opencast coal mines will greatly impact on rising human-elephant conflict in the Angul-Dhenkanal industrial belt. The human-elephant conflict is on high rise in this area due to diversion of vast forest lands for coal mining and industrial activity. Elephant corridors have been disconnected triggering huge human-elephant conflict.
Activist Jagadananda Pradhan urged the Govt for detail studies on wildlife management plans considering its proximity of the project to the Mahanadi Elephant Reserve , Kahneijena-Anatapur elephant corridor , Satkosia Tiger reserve and the proposed Similipal-Satkosia tiger Corridor which is only about 8 km on the north side of the proposed project.
Activist Jiten Sahu told that as all the localities, villages , hamlets , forest and environment will be greatly affected by around 15 coal mines in and around Chhendipada block , we demand detailed impact study of the whole area and prepare habitat planning and demanded immediate stop of tree cutting for coal mining.
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