60,000 Trees Saved: Nagpur High Court Halts WCL’s Expansion in Chandrapur
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In a major victory for environmental conservation, the High Court has issued a temporary stay on the felling of 60,000 trees in the Tadoba region of Chandrapur district. The trees were at risk due to an expansion project proposed by Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) for its Durgapur Coal Mines.
The move came in response to a petition filed by Prakriti, an NGO led by environmentalist Dipak Dixit. The petition raised concerns about the devastating impact the project could have on local wildlife and the region's natural resources.
The court's decision offers temporary relief to the forests and wildlife in the Tadoba region. Environmental activists have welcomed the ruling and are calling on WCL to reevaluate its plans to prioritize the protection of Chandrapur’s fragile ecosystem.
This development highlights the ongoing tension between industrial development and environmental preservation, with stakeholders urging sustainable approaches to balance both needs.
On World Environment Day, June 5 2023, the Tadoba Conservation Committee and locals in Chandrapur protested against the expansion of the Durgapur open-cast coal mine. Activists highlighted the mine's impact on forests, tiger habitats, and rising human-wildlife conflicts, with Chandrapur recording 53 such incidents in 2022.
Despite opposition, the government approved mining on 300 acres of dense forest, risking the loss of 13,457 trees and 64,349 bamboo clusters. Protesters argued that Chandrapur, with surplus electricity and green energy initiatives, does not need more mining. Under the “Save Tadoba Committee,” called for cancelling the project to protect wildlife and the environment.
