Introduction

In the ongoing general elections, important issues like water, forests, and land, which are crucial for tribal and forest dwellers, have been overlooked. The major alliances, the INDIA bloc and the NDA, have not given these issues the attention they deserve. One significant example is the Hasdeo Aranya forest in Chhattisgarh. This forest, known as the lungs of central India, has been a battleground for tribal communities fighting against deforestation due to coal mining.

 Background of Hasdeo Aranya

The Hasdeo Aranya forest spans 1.70 lakh hectares across the districts of Korba, Sarguja, and Surajpur in Chhattisgarh. It is a vital ecological zone, home to rich biodiversity and providing critical ecosystem services. Since 2010, both the Congress and BJP have highlighted Hasdeo Aranya when they were in opposition but failed to take significant action once in power.

 Political Indifference

In 2010, the Hasdeo Aranya issue gained prominence with the BJP in power in Chhattisgarh. Later, when the Congress took over, hopes were high for a change. However, the situation remained the same. Both parties seemed to care about the forest only when they were not in power. This lack of genuine commitment has continued, with neither party taking decisive steps to protect Hasdeo Aranya.

 Recent Developments

According to Alok Shukla, a member of the Hasdeo Bachao Andolan, the current state government in Chhattisgarh plans to start cutting trees in the new Parsa coal mining block. Although some old coal blocks have been canceled and new ones withdrawn, fake consent was obtained from gram sabhas (village councils) in the Hasdeo Aranya area. Despite a request from the governor for an investigation, no action has been taken yet. The fight to save Hasdeo continues.

 Activism and Protests

Over the past decade, various organizations and activists have campaigned against mining in Hasdeo Aranya. In October 2021, tribal communities marched hundreds of kilometers to Raipur, alleging illegal land acquisition. Studies by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) have highlighted the area’s biodiversity and the human-elephant conflict. Forest degradation has forced elephants into urban areas, causing frequent conflicts.

 Environmental Impact

The Hasdeo Aranya forest is crucial for the Hasdeo River’s catchment area. According to senior journalist Alok Prakash Putul, degrading this forest will negatively impact the river, which irrigates 4 lakh hectares of fields in Chhattisgarh. This could severely affect paddy cultivation in the state.

 Forest Rights Act Issues

The Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 recognized the historical rights of forest dwellers and scheduled tribes over forest resources. However, this act has not been properly implemented in most states, depriving these communities of their rights. The People’s Forest report highlighted that during elections, issues concerning tribals and forest dwellers are often ignored.

 Supreme Court Intervention

In 2019, the Supreme Court directed state governments to review rejected claims under the FRA. Despite this, many claims have not been reviewed. Community rights have not been distributed as required by the FRA, affecting states like Jharkhand significantly.

 Jharkhand’s Forest Rights Struggle

In Jharkhand, the alliance of Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) promised more forest rights in their election manifesto. However, they have not fulfilled this promise. According to data from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the current Jharkhand government has neither received nor granted any forest rights claims during their tenure. This issue remains unaddressed in the general elections.

 Importance of Forest Rights in Jharkhand

Before the 2019 Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Jharkhand Forest Rights Forum and the Indian School of Business (ISB) conducted a survey on potential FRA beneficiaries. The survey found that out of 32,112 villages in Jharkhand, 14,850 were adjacent to forests, covering an area of 73,96,873.1 hectares. There is a possibility of claims under the FRA on 18,82,429.02 hectares of land, affecting 2,53,64,129 individuals, including 46,86,235 families.

 Conclusion

The Hasdeo Aranya issue highlights the neglect of critical environmental and tribal concerns by major political parties. Both Congress and BJP have failed to take meaningful action to protect this vital forest. As elections continue, it is crucial for voters to demand accountability and prioritize the protection of natural resources and tribal rights. The future of Hasdeo Aranya and similar regions depends on sustained activism and political will to enforce environmental and social justice.

 Call to Action

It is essential for the public to stay informed and advocate for the protection of forests like Hasdeo Aranya. Engage with local representatives, support environmental organizations, and participate in campaigns to safeguard our natural heritage and the rights of indigenous communities. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a sustainable future for all.