Adani's 1,980-Mw power project hits green hurdle

Environmentalists oppose grant of coal linkage.

Adani Group’s 1,980-Mw power project in the Gondia district of Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region has got caught into a tangle with environmentalists vociferously opposing the grant of coal linkage to the project near the Tadoba Tiger Reserve, home to around 50 tigers.

They fear that mining in the area would destroy the largest tiger reserve in central India. To douse the fire the issue has ignited, the state government has said it will appoint a nine-member committee to study the issue and make recommendations.

The Adani group has sought mining rights on 1,750 acres around the Tadoba Tiger reserve for the project.

Earlier, the state government was in favour of recommending to the central government that the linkage be granted at the proposed site. But it has agreed to appoint the committee in the face of environmental groups and NGOs opposing the project.

Additional Chief Secretary (revenue and forest) JP Dange said that the committee would comprise government officials, representatives of NGOs and locals. Conservator of Forests Shailendra Bahadur will be the convenor of the committee.

Replying to a question, he said that no deadline had been set for the committee but it was asked to submit its report the at earliest as power was being given top priority by the government.

Dange pointed out that the state government has only recommendatory powers and the final decision lies with the central government’s ministry of forest and environment.

The activists claim that the area sought for mining includes prime forest and is part of tigers’ pathway. If it is opened for mining, the tiger reserve will be completely destroyed because the company will use about 50 tonnes of explosive everyday to extract coal.