Nagpur News
Nagpur High Court Blocks WCL Expansion in Chandrapur, Preserving 60,000 Trees
In a significant win for environmental conservation, the High Court has issued a temporary stay on the proposed felling of 60,000 trees in the Tadoba region of Chandrapur district. This decision comes in response to an expansion project put forward by Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) for its Durgapur Coal Mines, which posed a serious threat to the local ecosystem.The stay was granted following a petition filed by Prakriti, an NGO spearheaded by environmentalist Dipak Dixit. The petition raised alarm over the potential destruction the project could inflict on local wildlife and the region’s vital natural resources.
With this ruling, the court has provided much-needed temporary relief to the forests and wildlife in the Tadoba area. Environmental activists have lauded the decision and are urging WCL to reassess its plans, emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing the protection of Chandrapur’s delicate ecosystem.This situation underscores the ongoing conflict between industrial development and environmental preservation, with various stakeholders advocating for sustainable practices that can address both priorities.
On World Environment Day (June 5, 2023), the Tadoba Conservation Committee and local residents organized protests against the expansion of the Durgapur open-cast coal mine. Activists pointed out the potential harm to forests, tiger habitats, and the increase in human-wildlife conflicts, which saw 53 incidents reported in Chandrapur in 2022.Despite the pushback, the government approved mining operations on 300 acres of dense forest, risking the destruction of 13,457 trees and 64,349 bamboo clusters. Protesters argued that Chandrapur, already benefiting from surplus electricity and green energy initiatives, does not require additional mining. The Save Tadoba Committee has called for the cancellation of the project to safeguard both wildlife and the environment.
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