The Government’s decision to stop Mahan coal block from mining, saving the forests and livelihoods of thousands was hailed by villagers from 20 villages at a rally in Amelia village of Singrauli in Mahan forests of Madhya Pradesh. The festivities began as the villagers offered their prayers to Deeh Baba –their village deity. As scores of villagers made their way to the meeting, the venue echoed with traditional folk songs about the forests and how the lives of the forest communities were dependant on them.

A resident of Amelia and member of Mahan Sangharsh Samiti (MSS) Kripanath Yadav said, “This day has arrived after several hardships and struggle. Forest rights activists have been jailed, threatened and bullied, whenever they raised their voice to save the forests of Mahan. It is due to our efforts that the Government has agreed not to auction Mahan for mining. We now urge the administrative authorities to recognise our Community Forest Rights claim under the Forest Rights Act.”

While the Government has decided to spare Mahan, there are other coal blocks in the region, which are still under threat. Senior campaigner with Greenpeace India Priya Pillai said, “The victory of the people of Mahan is a victory of democracy. But there are several other challenges that the people of this country face. The proposed land Acquisition Amendments Bill, which was passed earlier this month, threatens to displace several other village communities in the name of development.” As a symbol of protest, MSS activists tore the proposed land Acquisition Amendments Bill, buried it, and planted a Mahua sapling on top marking the triumph of people.