Raigarh, Chhattisgarh:
The relentless march of coal mining in Raigarh's Tamnar region continues to stir unrest among local communities. Even as protests rage on against the felling of trees on 214 hectares of forest land for the Mahagenco coal block in Murgaon, a fresh controversy has erupted. Jindal Power Limited (JPL) is now preparing to clear 120 hectares of forest in Gare Pelma Sector-1 for another coal project.
JPL has been granted a 50-year lease for this coal block, with an annual extraction target of approximately 15 million tonnes. The mining operations will employ both open-cast and underground methods. The company plans to acquire a total of 3,020 hectares of land in Gare Pelma Sector-1—much of it spanning across several villages.
Villages such as Budia, Raipara, Bagbadi, and Aamgaon are expected to be directly affected by this project. Local residents allege that the destruction of forests will not only disrupt their natural water sources and livelihood but will also uproot their traditional way of life.
Rising Anger in Villages
The Tamnar region is already grappling with displacement due to Mahagenco’s existing mining operations. Residents accuse the government of approving new projects every year at the cost of forests and of ignoring their objections during public hearings.
Following recent protests against tree-felling in Murgaon, tensions are now mounting in Gare Pelma as well. Local organizations have warned that if indiscriminate deforestation and land acquisition continue, they will launch large-scale protests.
Forests Under Attack, Tribal Culture at Risk
Environmental activists argue that the forests of Raigarh are more than just timber reserves—they are integral to the livelihoods and cultural identity of thousands of tribal families. "Green drives have become token gestures," said one local activist. "Governments continue to bow before coal companies, and the ecological damage inflicted on forests is irreversible."
Public Hearings or Mere Formality?
A public hearing is expected soon for JPL’s Gare Pelma project, where villagers plan to raise formal objections. However, many locals remain skeptical, pointing out that in past hearings, their concerns were dismissed and projects were cleared without genuine consultation.
Villagers have appealed to the Raigarh district administration to conduct a serious assessment of the ecological, social, and cultural impact of such projects. They urge that development should not come at the cost of thousands of trees and the future of entire communities.