38-year-old Vaibhav Bemetariha decided to print “save Hasdeo” on his wedding card, starting a conversation among many about the state of peril in which the Hasdeo forest was due to coal mining.
“Even my wife had questions,” said Bemetariha, who resides in the Eastern Chhattisgarh State, in a city named Raipur which is home to one of India’s largest coal reserves. He further said, “I have promised to take her (his wife) to the Hasdeo forest to show her why protecting it matters so much and cutting trees to meet power needs is not necessary.”
Bemetariha’s plight is not limited to the protection of the trees, but also the resources stored in the confines of the forest along with the ‘adivasis’, or rather the tribal people who consider the forest their home and since then have been fighting alone for its safety and protection.
The Hasdeo Forest, or Hasdeo Arand according to its name, is one of the largest reserved forests in Central India. It is also the subject of one of the longest protests against anti-coal mining by indigenous tribes. In April, the deforestation of thousands of trees caused waves of anger amongst Indians leading to the initiation of the #SaveHasdeo movement backed by influential personalities, YouTubers, students, and citizens of India.
This solidarity stems from the desperation for energy and power due to extreme heatwaves leading to the opening of coalfields in Hasdeo Arand; coalfields which are spread over 1878 square kilometers in the Korba, Surguja, and Surajpur Districits. Opening up coal mines in this area will not just destroy hectares of rich forest land, but will be the brutal vandalism of tribal culture, biodiversity, and pollution-free waters.
Flash mobs and protestors are actively campaigning against the possible consideration of this endeavour as no one wants the loss of the Hasdeo Arand Forest for mining to take place. In these situations, authorities may have to figure out alternative routes for mining in India.
