Commercial Coal Mining Auctions : Legal, Social & Ecological concerns around inclusion of mines in Mand Raigarh of Chhattisgarh

18^th June 2020 saw the launch of the auction process for 41 coal blocks where coal can be mined for entirely commercial purposes in India. Of the total, 9 mines were from the state of Chhattisgarh. Following strong resistance from communities and the state government, five coal mines falling in the Hasdeo forest and proposed Lemru Elephant Reserve were withdrawn. In lieu of these, three new mines falling in the Mand Raigarh coalfield were added to the list. This note highlights the legal, social and ecological concerns around inclusion of the mines in Mand Raigarh of Chhattisgarh. Raigarh district has borne the brunt of coal mining and related operations for over two decades; legal cognisance of the same has also been taken. If any of the three coal mines later added to the list were to become operational, they could be in direct contravention of a February 2020 order of the National Green Tribunal, which directed, “No further expansion or new projects in the area before thorough evaluation.”

This note highlights the legal, social and ecological concerns around inclusion of the mines in Mand Raigarh of Chhattisgarh.

Note Published on 16th September 2020