Lok Sabha Question No. 117 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Felling of Trees for Mining Projects
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

## 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.

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