**Executive Summary:**
This document is the response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 117 regarding the felling of trees for the Parsa East Kente Basan (PEKB) coal mine in Chhattisgarh. It details the number of trees affected, the environmental clearances granted, and the mitigation measures in place. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change addresses concerns about deforestation and environmental impact, citing adherence to relevant acts, rules, and guidelines.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Tree Felling:**
* 368,217 trees will be affected by the Parsa East Kente Basan (PEKB) coal mine project.
* Diversion of forest land is permitted subject to Compensatory Afforestation (CA), Net Present Value (NPV) payment, and other mitigation measures.
* **Environmental Clearances:**
* Public hearings for the Parsa East and Kanta Basan Opencast Coal Mine Project were conducted on 16/01/2009 and 11/09/2016 by the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB).
* Environmental Clearances (EC) were granted on 21/12/2011, 10/08/2018 and 14/02/2022 following recommendations by the EAC (Expert Appraisal Committee).
* Issues raised during public hearings included mine discharge, water treatment, coal transportation, employment, culture, traditions, and rehabilitation.
* **Environmental Impact Assessment:**
* A cumulative impact assessment for coal mining and coal washery, including air, water, soil, forest cover, and biodiversity, was carried out.
* Mitigation strategies include dust suppression, water management, noise control, and reforestation.
* RRVUNL conducted a carrying capacity study for the Kente Extension Coal Block in 2024.
* **Government Commitment:**
* The Government is committed to environmentally sustainable mining activities in the Hasdeo region.
* Mining is permitted with adequate mitigation measures, adhering to the Van Sanrakshan evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980, Environment Protection Act, 1986, and other applicable regulations.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **State Government of Chhattisgarh:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for providing information on the number of trees affected and submitting proposals for forest land diversion.
* *Action Required:* Ensure adherence to conditions related to Compensatory Afforestation (CA), Net Present Value (NPV) payment, and implementation of mitigation measures.
* **Adani Enterprises (Operator of PEKB coal mine):**
* *Impact:* Required to carry out mining operations in compliance with environmental regulations and clearance conditions.
* *Action Required:* Implement mitigation strategies, including dust suppression, water management, noise control, and reforestation, as outlined in the EIA.
* **Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for conducting public hearings and ensuring environmental compliance.
* *Action Required:* Continue monitoring and enforcing environmental regulations related to the mining project.
* **Local Communities/Tribal Populations:**
* *Impact:* Potentially affected by deforestation, environmental degradation, and displacement due to mining activities.
* *Action Required:* Engage with the mining operators and government authorities to ensure their concerns are addressed and that their rights are protected under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
* **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:**
* *Impact:* Oversees environmental clearances and ensures compliance with environmental laws.
* *Action Required:* Continue to monitor mining activities and enforce environmental regulations to ensure sustainable mining practices.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change.
Parsa East Kente Basan PEKB coal mine: A coal mine operated by Adani Enterprises in the Hasdeo forest area.
Adani Enterprises: The company operating the Parsa East Kente Basan PEKB coal mine.
Hasdeo forest, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh: A biodiverse forest area in Chhattisgarh, India where the Parsa East Kente Basan coal mine is located.
Forest Rights Act, 2006: An Indian law concerning the rights of forest-dwelling communities to land and resources.
Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board CECB: The state-level environmental regulatory agency in Chhattisgarh, responsible for conducting public hearings and environmental oversight.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: An Indian law providing a framework for the protection and improvement of the environment.
Van Sanrakshan evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 1980: An Indian law related to the conservation of forests and regulation of forest resources.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 117
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Felling of Trees for Mining Projects
117. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that over two lakh trees have been felled for the
Parsa East Kente Basan (PEKB) coal mine operated by Adani Enterprises in Hasdeo
forest, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the environmental clearance was granted despite sustained local opposition,
tribal rights claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and the ecological sensitivity of
the Hasdeo Arand region;
(c) if so, the reasons for permitting extensive deforestation in a biodiversity-rich forest
during a time of declared climate crisis;
(d) whether the Government has conducted or reviewed any recent cumulative
Environment Impact Assessment of mining in Hasdeo, if so, the details thereof and if
not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) whether the Government plans to revise its clearance procedures to ensure
accountability in the cases of mass tree felling and environmental degradation?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) As per the information received from the State Government of Chhattisgarh and
the proposal for the diversion of forest land submitted by the State Government,
3,68,217 trees will be affected in the Parsa East Kente Basan (PEKB) coal mine.
The diversion of forest land is allowed subject to conditions including the
Compensatory Afforestation (CA), payment of Net Present Value (NPV) and other
appropriate mitigation measures.
(b) to (e) The public hearing for the project titled “Parsa East and Kanta Basan Opencast
Coal Mine Project (10 MTPA) and Pit Head Coal Washery (10 MTPA) located at
Hasdeo-Arand Coalfields, in villages Parsa, Kente, Basan, Salhi, Hariharpur,
Ghatbara, Parogiya, Tehsil Udaypur, Dist. Sarguja, Chhattisgarh” was conducted
by Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) on 16/01/2009. The
issues raised during the said public hearing were duly deliberated by the EAC and
the proposal was recommended for grant of EC. Based on the EAC
recommendations, the EC was accorded by the Ministry on 21/12/2011.Thereafter, another public hearing was conducted by the CECB on 11/09/2016 for
increase in coal mining & coal washery capacity from 10 MTPA to 15 MTPA. The
issues raised in the public hearing include mine discharge, arrangement of
treatment of polluted water, transportation of coal, employment, culture and
traditions, rehabilitation etc. These issues have been duly deliberated by the EAC
and the proposal was recommended for grant of EC. Based on the EAC
recommendations for expansion as above EC was accorded on 10/08/2018.
Subsequently, another expansion EC was accorded on 14/02/2022 for increase in
coal production from 15 to 18 MTPA (20% expansion) as per the MoEF&CC
Office Memorandum dated 15/09/2017. As part of this expansion project,
proponent has carried out a cumulative impact assessment for the coal mining and
the coal washery. It includes the assessment of impact on Air, Water, Soil, Forest
Cover and Biodiversity. EIA also includes specific mitigation strategies like dust
suppression & water management systems, noise control measures, reforestation
plans to counter the environmental impacts of mining activities.
M/s RRVUNL has carried out a carrying capacity study for kente extension coal
block comprising of parsa coal block, parsa east & kente basan coal block & kente
extension coal block during 2024.
The Government remains committed to ensuring that all mining activities
including in the Hasdeo region, are carried out in an environmentally sustainable
manner. Mining is allowed with adequate mitigation measures keeping in view
the provisions of Van (Sanrakshan evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980,
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and all other applicable Acts, Rules and
Guidelines.
***