People demonstrated against 1 lakh tree cutting for Naini coal block in Chhendipada

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.