By The SanvaadGarh | June 27, 2025
In the early hours of June 26, 2025, the serene village of Muda in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, was jolted by the sound of axes and chainsaws. Adani Enterprises, acting as the mine developer and operator (MDO) for the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company’s (Mahagenco) Gare Palma II coal block, began felling approximately 1,500 trees, igniting fierce protests from local tribal communities. The response was swift and severe: over 50 villagers, including a former minister and a local MLA, were arrested as police, numbering around 350, descended to quell the unrest. This incident has reignited debates over environmental destruction, tribal rights, and corporate overreach in India’s coal heartland.
A Coal Project Under Fire
The Gare Palma II coal block, spanning 2,583.48 hectares across 14 tribal-dominated villages in Raigarh’s Tamnar block, holds an estimated 1,050.29 million tons of coal. Managed by Adani for Mahagenco, the project is set to displace over 2,245 families and clear 214.869 hectares of reserved forest land. The environmental and social costs are staggering: polluted water sources like the Kelo River, degraded soil fertility, and heightened health risks from air pollution, as noted in a 2024 study by the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research. Local communities, predominantly Scheduled Tribes and Castes, fear the loss of their forest-dependent livelihoods and cultural heritage.
The project’s approval process has been mired in controversy. In January 2024, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) revoked the environmental clearance, citing an inadequate 2019 public hearing that sidelined tribal voices. Despite this, the Modi government reinstated clearance on August 13, 2024, relying on group discussions rather than a fresh hearing, raising questions about compliance with legal safeguards in Fifth Schedule areas, which protect tribal land rights.
The Morning of June 26
At 5 AM, as Adani’s tree-cutting began in Muda village, hundreds of villagers gathered to protest, decrying the destruction of their forests. The response was heavy-handed: a massive police deployment arrested over 50 protesters, including prominent local leaders. Social media platforms like X erupted with outrage, with users like @yogeshyadav7798 alleging police brutality and others invoking the #HasdeoBachao movement, drawing parallels with protests against Adani’s Parsa coal block. Activists from groups like the People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) condemned the arrests as an attempt to silence dissent and prioritise corporate interests.
Environmental and Social Fallout
The ecological stakes are high. A 2019-20 Indian Council of Medical Research study warned of air and water pollution risks in Raigarh, while local activists highlight the depletion of groundwater and threats to biodiversity. The socio-economic impact is equally dire. A study by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India noted that 60% of affected villagers face relocation, disrupting traditional livelihoods tied to agriculture and forest produce.
Tribal communities argue that their consent was not adequately sought, violating constitutional protections. Village resolutions rejecting the project were submitted to the state government but allegedly ignored. The lack of transparency in the clearance process has fuelled accusations of forged documents and corporate favouritism.
Adani’s Silence and Broader Implications
Adani Enterprises, a key player in Raigarh’s coal sector, has faced similar criticism for its operations in Gare Pelma III and a nearby coal-power plant expansion. Yet, the company offered no comment on the June 26 incident, leaving room for speculation about its commitment to environmental and community concerns. The Gare Palma II conflict reflects a broader pattern of tension in Chhattisgarh, where coal mining often pits corporate interests against tribal rights and ecological preservation.
A Call for Justice
As Raigarh’s forests dwindle and its people face displacement, the arrests in Muda village underscore a troubling reality: the voices of India’s tribal communities are often drowned out by the machinery of development. Activists are calling for the project’s cancellation and greater accountability in environmental clearances. The SanvaadGarh urges readers to follow this unfolding story and support efforts to protect Raigarh’s forests and its people.
Be the first to comment