*On 28-12-2023 a Citizens’ Resistance March Held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh Against the Destruction of Hasdeo Forests, Call for Hasdeo Chalo on 7th January
Various democratic organizations and environmentally sensitive citizens of Chhattisgarh today took out a citizens’ resistance march from Motibagh to Ambedkar Chowk in Raipur in protest against the deforestation in Hasdeo forests and the police repression on the affected tribal community and demanded the intervention of the Governor on this issue. While doing so, a memorandum was submitted to him. Giving the call of ‘Hasdeo Chalo’, these organizations have decided to organize a ‘Citizens Resistance March’ on January 7, with people’s participation from all over the state.
It is noteworthy that Hasdeo forest is included in the Fifth Schedule area, yet in violation of PESA law and all the constitutional rights of the tribals. On December 21, 2023, deforestation has been started in the forest land in Phase-II of Parsa East Kete Basan Coal Mine Project in Surguja, Hasdeo. The people and villages of the affected tribal community who protested against this were kept under police guard and taken hostage. Members of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, who were going from Raipur to Hasdeo, were also detained by the police midway. This continued for three full days. Since then, demonstrations are being held at many places in protest against this repressive action against the people struggling to save water, forests and land and the destruction of Hasdeo and a campaign is also going on in social media. The civil resistance march organized in Raipur today was organised in connection with this campaign.
Through the Civil Resistance March, people demanded to the Governor and the State Government in their memorandum to follow the unofficial resolution passed unanimously on 26 July 2022 in the Chhattisgarh Assembly regarding keeping the Hasdeo area free from mining and the Gram Sabhas of this area. In view of the coal block not giving consent to the mining projects, all the coal blocks allotted in this area should be canceled. In the memorandum, the citizens emphasized that the “Wildlife Institute of India ”, an institute of the Central Government, has written in its report that coal mining in Hasdeo forest will threaten the existence of Hasdeo River and Bango Dam. The human elephant conflict in the state will increase so much that it can never be controlled again. Even after this report, going ahead with mining projects in Hasdev Aranya would be a suicidal step for the state.
Citizens have also protested against the fake Gram Sabha held to obtain forest clearance in Parsa Coal Block in Hasdeo and have drawn the attention of the Governor to the question that if the extraction of coal by destroying the forests of Hasdeo is necessary for development, then why is everything being done through illegal and unconstitutional means? Why are the governments retreating from the investigation of the fake Gram Sabha and suppressing the ongoing movement to save Hasdeo, while the tribal community in Hasdeo has been protesting peacefully for 665 days continuously against the illegal approval.
It has been said in the memorandum that Hasdeo forests are the lungs of Chhattisgarh, it is the catchment of Hasdeo river and Bango dam, it is an important habitat for innumerable wild animals including elephants and tigers, the culture and livelihood of the tribal community is linked to them. Therefore, destruction of Hasdeo forests will lead to destruction of Chhattisgarh itself. Destruction of such forest areas in this climate change era when there is an alternative to coal is a suicidal step.
Organizations associated with Hansdev Bachao Andolan( Save Hansdev) have announced that in the coming days, demonstrations will be held in every district to save Hasdeo from corporate loot. Along with this, it has been announced to organize a civil resistance march in Hasdeo on January 7. The citizens and organizations from the entire state are being invited in this.
In today’s citizens’ resistance march, various organizations like Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha (Major Worker Committee), Chhattisgarh Kisan Sabha, Chhattisgarhia Kranti Sena, Johar Chhattisgarh Party, River Valley Morcha, Revolutionary Cultural Forum, Chhattisgarh Kisan Mahasabha, CPI (ML) Red Star, Mahanadi Bachao Andolan and other concerned citizens also participated.
