Chhattisgarh has urged the Central government not to include coal blocks in the catchment areas of Hasdeo Aranya and adjoining Mand River and areas within the proposed elephant reserve in the state in the upcoming coal block auction to be conducted by New Delhi.
Akbar made the submission in a letter to Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javdekar.
He said that exclusion of coal blocks situated in these areas of Chhattisgarh from auction would be appropriate so as to protect forests and environment.
Akbar pointed out that the central and northern region of Chhattisgarh is covered with dense forests on one side but it also has abundant coal reserves.
