The Ministry of Environment and Forests has denied permission to Adani Group for coal mining at Lohara near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), for setting up a 1980 MW power plant in Gondia district of Maharashtra.
Adani Power is setting up the project at Tiroda (Gondia) and had planned to source the coal from Lohara.
"Our Ministry issued a letter on January 7, to Adani Group stating that the permission (for coal mining) has been denied to them since it would destroy rich forests and tiger habitat," Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, told reporters after his visit to Lohara.
Ramesh who met several environmental activists here yesterday assured them that "there will be no review and no reconsideration" in this matter.
Dismissing any flip flop on the issue, Ramesh categorically said the coal block was alloted to the company earlier by the Coal Ministry, and the Environment and Forest Ministry should have been consulted.
"Our ministry has declined permission and informed the Coal Ministry to allot an alternative coal block to Adani. I am holding meetings with Coal Minister once in a month to discuss such issues personally," Ramesh added.
He said the Forest Ministry has launched an exercise of mapping to identify the coal blocks falling under forest land and endangering wildlife and forests.
