Brinda Karat Urges Halt of Controversial Coal Project in Chhattisgarh

Brinda Karat, a key figure from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has made an impassioned plea to the Union government, urging a suspension of the proposed coal mining project in Chhattisgarh. According to Karat, the undertaking stands to decimate around 1,742 hectares of forest and entails the cutting down of approximately 4.5 lakh trees.

In her communication to Bhupender Yadav, the Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Karat mapped out her concerns, condemning the project as a mere channel for mineral exploitation under the guise of 'public interest.' The coal project, she argued, was spearheaded by a joint venture between the Rajasthan government and Adani Enterprises, with the latter holding a 74% stake.

Highlighting environmental repercussions, she emphasized that the initiative, if approved, could compound existing ecological harm in the region. She iterated that local communities have raised numerous objections, which have been overlooked. Karat's call is a stark reminder of the delicate balance between development and environmental preservation.

(With inputs from agencies.)