Even though Adani Coalfs proposal for mining in Lohara near Tadoba is yet to be processed by the forest ministry, its rejection by two top forest officials is being seen as a big blow to the project.
TOI has in its possession reports of principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) CS Joshi and PCCF (wildlife) AK Joshi obtained under Right to Information Act. The report pulls up lower rung officials for overlooking interests of forest and wildlife conservation.
The PCCF is critical of Chandrapur deputy conservator Pravin Chavan and conservator of North Chandrapur RS Yadav for clearing the proposal.Their recommendations cannot be treated as professionally correct, it says. PCCF has said that the government on October 3, 1997, had stated that mining proposals in deep forests should be rejected outright.
The average crown density of the forest to be diverted for Adani mines varies from 0.6 to 0.8 and is thick forest forming a stretch adjoining TATR. The PCCF has stated that of the 1600 hectares, 750 belong to Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra that include nurseries, orchards and other assets. Felling of six lakh trees in this area will result in loss of over Rs 223 crore.
It states that project will destroy Lohara teak clones seed orchard on 14 hectare that will result in loss of teak germ plasm collected from different states. PCCF comments reveal that FDCM board on July 15 had passed a resolution that its 750 heactare area should not be diverted. He also refers to PCCF (wildlife) report of April 28 to National Tiger Conservation Authority mentioning mining activity will spell doom for wildlife and will also lead to escalation of mananimal conflict. Joshi also mentioned of Nippon Denro Ispat Ltd.project that was denied permission in 1999 for underground mining in same compartments. PCCF has also said that the wildlife conservation plan submitted by Adani Coal did not provide substantial measures to restore wildlife habitat.
TOI has in its possession reports of principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) CS Joshi and PCCF (wildlife) AK Joshi obtained under Right to Information Act. The report pulls up lower rung officials for overlooking interests of forest and wildlife conservation.
The PCCF is critical of Chandrapur deputy conservator Pravin Chavan and conservator of North Chandrapur RS Yadav for clearing the proposal.Their recommendations cannot be treated as professionally correct, it says. PCCF has said that the government on October 3, 1997, had stated that mining proposals in deep forests should be rejected outright.
The average crown density of the forest to be diverted for Adani mines varies from 0.6 to 0.8 and is thick forest forming a stretch adjoining TATR. The PCCF has stated that of the 1600 hectares, 750 belong to Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra that include nurseries, orchards and other assets. Felling of six lakh trees in this area will result in loss of over Rs 223 crore.
It states that project will destroy Lohara teak clones seed orchard on 14 hectare that will result in loss of teak germ plasm collected from different states. PCCF comments reveal that FDCM board on July 15 had passed a resolution that its 750 heactare area should not be diverted. He also refers to PCCF (wildlife) report of April 28 to National Tiger Conservation Authority mentioning mining activity will spell doom for wildlife and will also lead to escalation of mananimal conflict. Joshi also mentioned of Nippon Denro Ispat Ltd.project that was denied permission in 1999 for underground mining in same compartments. PCCF has also said that the wildlife conservation plan submitted by Adani Coal did not provide substantial measures to restore wildlife habitat.
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