This refers to the report “Deadlock over no-go resolved, says Jaiswal” (February 11). It is shocking that an issue that is critical to the lives of so many people and so much biodiversity is being discussed and “resolved” within the closed doors of power. There has been no debate or public consultation on the impact of coal mining in these areas, nor any consideration of the impact on tribals who are dependent on these forests or on the biodiversity of the region.
This issue is being looked at only through the lens of a loss of industry investment in the regions concerned. This investment will never reach the affected people or the degraded environment. There has been no evaluation of the losses in terms of the value of the forests and the impact of pollution.
In the initial classification of nine blocks in March 2010, no-go zones constituted 49 per cent of the total area. This zone has already been reduced to 23.27 per cent with 1,80,373 hectares being shifted to the go category.
Prominent civil society organisations and networks have criticised the decision and demanded wider consultations. Yet decisions on no-go zones continue to be exclusive.
The Group of Ministers (GoM) formed to discuss this issue is yet to meet. The minister is being irresponsible in claiming the issue has been resolved before the GoM meets. The very constitution of the GoM to decide on no-go zones is a representation of the government’s intentions.
Preethi Herman,
Campaigner - Climate and Energy
Greenpeace India
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