The State government granted permission for non-forestry use of 841.538 hectares of forest land for the Parsa mine (Surguja and Surajpur districts) and 1,136.328 hectares for PEKB phase-II mine (Surguja), allotted to RVUNL, after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in March this year, to seek a development of the coal blocks allotted to the former’s state.
With India striding towards the path of development & progress, the Indian power sector is currently under considerable stress, with multiple reported cases of power outage and grid failures, which calls for immediate redressal. This can be substantiated by Central Government's recent step of importing 20 million tonnes of coal, for averting another power crisis, for this festive season alone.
The second phase of mining in Hasdeo Arand forest will be a paramount pillar for resolving the current power debacle, which would, additionally, act as a source of livelihood & employment for adivasi population in the area.
In this expeditiously transforming world, what holds weight is the concept of Inclusive Development which, in Indian context of electricity crisis, involves striking an equilibrium between rapid development and sustainable development.
Rapid development includes advancements for the ease & convenience of masses, which effectively helps them amplify their standards of living.
Sustainable Development, encompasses the action to protect the planet, while meeting the needs of the present and safeguarding the opportunities for future generations.
Rapid development, when amalgamated with Sustainable development, dwells into a deeper notion of Inclusive Development, which is the ultimate need of the hour for resolving electricity crisis and shielding the planet at the same time.
Multiple steps are being taken in this direction, with consistent efforts & strength. A simple yet effective instance involves translocating the trees which had been deforested during the process of mining. Such a balanced step neither ceases the process of enhancing convenience for masses, nor endangers the planet's health.