'State govt should turn down Adani proposal'
The decision to reject diversion of 1,750 hectare rich forest land in Lohara (Chandrapur) for Adani coal blocks by principal chief
conservator of forests (PCCF) for wildlife A K Joshi has come as a shot in the arm for conservationists and those fighting against mining near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
With forest minister Babanrao Pachpute set to get the file next, a cross-section of environmentalists and conservationists told TOI that he should understand the problem and stand by the PCCF in rejecting the proposal on merit.
President of Satpuda Foundation Kishor Rithe felt that now the state government has no option but to reject the Adani proposal. “When union environment minister Jairam Ramesh has already come on record saying he will reject the proposal when it comes to him, why send it at all,” Rithe remarked.
“The PCCF’s decision is wise. The rejection of the Adani proposal is justified as the company’s mining area is rich in wildlife and falls under the buffer and ecosensitive zone of TATR. The mining activity will intensify the man-tiger conflict which has already claimed over 45 villagers in the last four years,” Rithe said.
Wildlife experts remarked that when the matter is heard in the court, the minister will be asked what prompted him to forward the proposal despite stiff opposition from all quarters. It should be noted that the coal lease has been granted in the forest compartment number 389 & 390, which are part of the buffer area of TATR.
Prafulla Bhamburkar, assistant manager of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), hailed the PCCF’s move and called it a victory of sorts for the greens. “Despite pressure from the forest minister, that the PCCF went against the proposal is commendable.
There is definitely some meaning to the rejection of the proposal. With the rejection of the proposal, the uncertainty has been removed. Now the state government should follow suit,” Bhamburkar asserted. He said tigers are already crying for space and their numbers are dwindling. The wildlife and environment crisis is so severe that every inch of forest land counts. No more dense forest land should be given for such projects.
Meanwhile, chief of Chandrapur-based Eco-Pro Bandu Dhotre, who left the political parties and administration no choice by launching a fast-unto-death, welcomed the stand taken by the PCCF. He also lauded the then PCCF B Majumdar, who was the first to raise a voice against cluster of mines that threaten to come around Tadoba.
The decision to reject diversion of 1,750 hectare rich forest land in Lohara (Chandrapur) for Adani coal blocks by principal chief
conservator of forests (PCCF) for wildlife A K Joshi has come as a shot in the arm for conservationists and those fighting against mining near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
With forest minister Babanrao Pachpute set to get the file next, a cross-section of environmentalists and conservationists told TOI that he should understand the problem and stand by the PCCF in rejecting the proposal on merit.
President of Satpuda Foundation Kishor Rithe felt that now the state government has no option but to reject the Adani proposal. “When union environment minister Jairam Ramesh has already come on record saying he will reject the proposal when it comes to him, why send it at all,” Rithe remarked.
“The PCCF’s decision is wise. The rejection of the Adani proposal is justified as the company’s mining area is rich in wildlife and falls under the buffer and ecosensitive zone of TATR. The mining activity will intensify the man-tiger conflict which has already claimed over 45 villagers in the last four years,” Rithe said.
Wildlife experts remarked that when the matter is heard in the court, the minister will be asked what prompted him to forward the proposal despite stiff opposition from all quarters. It should be noted that the coal lease has been granted in the forest compartment number 389 & 390, which are part of the buffer area of TATR.
Prafulla Bhamburkar, assistant manager of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), hailed the PCCF’s move and called it a victory of sorts for the greens. “Despite pressure from the forest minister, that the PCCF went against the proposal is commendable.
There is definitely some meaning to the rejection of the proposal. With the rejection of the proposal, the uncertainty has been removed. Now the state government should follow suit,” Bhamburkar asserted. He said tigers are already crying for space and their numbers are dwindling. The wildlife and environment crisis is so severe that every inch of forest land counts. No more dense forest land should be given for such projects.
Meanwhile, chief of Chandrapur-based Eco-Pro Bandu Dhotre, who left the political parties and administration no choice by launching a fast-unto-death, welcomed the stand taken by the PCCF. He also lauded the then PCCF B Majumdar, who was the first to raise a voice against cluster of mines that threaten to come around Tadoba.
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