Bandar coal block officially dropped from auction list

NAGPUR (Natural Energy News): After opposition from the Maharashtra government, the Union Coal Ministry has finally withdrawn the Bandar coal block from the 11th instalment under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.



“On 17 July, we decided to withdraw the Bandar coal blocks from the auction process. A letter to this effect has been issued on 21 July. The said coal blocks fall under the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) and a notification has already been issued by the MoEFCC, ”said the Coal Ministry officials involved.




On June 18, it was one of 41 coal blocks listed for auction. The last date for submission of bids is 18 August. The total mining lease area for Bandar is 1,643.67 ha, with 1,170.16 ha of forest land (257 ha open cast mine and 913.16 ha) ha for underground mining).

On 30 June, Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi told TOI that Hasdev Aranya has been removed from the auction list in four blocks of Bandar, Chhattisgarh - Sayang, Madanpur (North), Morga (South) and Morga-II. Request from State Governments.

However, no official communication about the Chhattisgarh block was released. Sources close to the coal minister said, "We are awaiting a replacement request from the state government for these blocks."




Maharashtra Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray said, “I thank the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for writing to the Central Government on this issue. Along with him, Forest Minister Sanjay Rathore also wrote to the Union Minister of Environment. Furthermore, this may be possible with the early intervention of an activist like Bandu Dhotre. Former minister Jairam Ramesh was also vocal in this fight. "

Earlier, the Bander coal block was rejected twice - in 1999 and 2011. However, this is the first time a letter to close the auction was issued after a lot of chanting and crying. The Ministry of Coal has now appealed to the bidders to focus on development.




On June 19, TOI expressed immediate concern to all circles about the auction of the proposed Circular mines for the first time. “The eastern Vidarbha landscape has a presence of at least 200 tigers, 60% of which are in TATR and adjoining forest areas. The disrupted movement of wildlife by the proposed coal mines will lead to an increase in human-wildlife conflicts, ”said Dhotre.

"Although the bander has been withdrawn, the fight is only half the victory. We all need to join hands against the Marki-Mangli-II coal block in Pandharkawada division of Yavatmal. Suresh Chopane, president of the Green Planet Society, Chandrapur, said the blocks have not been withdrawn despite being in the corridor between Tadoba and Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.


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