MCB ( Manendragarh- Chirmiri- Bharatpur) : Opposition is growing against the proposed opencast coal mine at Bartunga Hill in the coal belt town of Chirmiri. Citing concerns over damage to ancient natural hills, forests, and the environment, the organisation Shri Bajrang Sena has strongly opposed the opening of an opencast mine and demanded that coal extraction be carried out only through underground mining.
The organisation submitted a memorandum signed by more than 200 people to the MCB Collector, urging the administration to allow coal mining at Bartunga Hill only through the underground method.
Historical Context and Current Plan
According to Shri Bajrang Sena, coal was extracted at Bartunga Hill through underground mines nearly four decades ago. After the old underground mines were closed, plans are now being made to develop the area as an opencast mine. The organisation alleges that starting opencast mining on the hill would cause irreversible damage to thousands of years old natural hills and a large number of trees, directly affecting the environment and surrounding rural areas.
Impact on Villages and Livelihoods
In its memorandum, the organisation expressed concern that the proposed opencast mine could have direct and indirect effects on nearly a dozen villages adjoining Bartunga Hill. The region is predominantly tribal, where local residents’ livelihoods depend heavily on forests, natural trees, and forest produce. The organisation warned that hill excavation and large-scale tree cutting could threaten both the livelihoods of local people and the region’s natural resources.
Allegations of Influence
Shri Bajrang Sena has also raised questions about activities allegedly being conducted by a private company in rural areas. The organisation claimed that villagers are being influenced through the distribution of sewing machines, blankets, and the organisation of various camps in an attempt to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) at the panchayat level. It has demanded a fair investigation into these processes.
Demand for Method Change, Not Opposition to Mining
Clarifying its stand, Shri Bajrang Sena stated that it is not opposing the opening of a coal mine or coal extraction itself. Instead, it is demanding a shift from opencast mining to underground mining. The organisation pointed out that modern technology now makes it possible to extract coal through underground methods, which would significantly reduce damage to the hills, forests, and natural environment.
The protest highlights the ongoing tension in Chhattisgarh’s coal-bearing regions between development through mining and the need to protect ecologically sensitive areas and local communities’ traditional livelihoods.
