PETITION: Stop 18 Coal Mines from Destroying Elephant Habitats and Tribal Lands in Dharamjaigarh!

To:

The President of India

The Union Minister for Coal & Mines

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change

The Governor of Chhattisgarh

The Situation:

A crisis is unfolding in the heart of Chhattisgarh. In the Dharamjaigarh Forest Division, the lifeblood of our tribal communities and the primary habitat of wild elephants are under immediate threat. The government has identified 18 coal blocks for mining within the dense Chhal and Dharamjaigarh ranges—a move that will lead to total ecological collapse and the displacement of thousands.

Why This Matters:

1. A Bloodshed Zone for Humans and Elephants

The region is already a flashpoint for human-wildlife conflict. Since 2001, 167 villagers have lost their lives to elephant attacks, with a staggering 113 of those deaths occurring specifically in the areas targeted for mining. Similarly, out of 63 wild elephant deaths since 2005, 54 occurred in these two ranges. Opening 18 massive coal mines will destroy elephant corridors, forcing hungry and displaced wildlife into human settlements, leading to more avoidable deaths.

2. Violation of Constitutional Rights

The 52 village panchayats in this region are protected under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution and the PESA Act (1996). These laws grant tribal communities the right to decide what happens to their land. By auctioning coal blocks like Purunga, Baisi, and Taraimar without the genuine consent of the Gram Sabhas, the government is bypassing the law and the will of the people.

3. The Death of the Mand River

The Mand River flows for 50 kilometers through this forest, providing the only year-round water source for wildlife and local agriculture. Open-cast mining will choke this river with coal dust and toxic waste, poisoning the water that elephants, cattle, and people depend on.

4. Loss of Ancient Forests

Over 36,000 hectares of dense forest are at risk. These are not just "coal-bearing tracts"; they are carbon sinks and the ancestral home of indigenous tribes who have protected this land for generations.

OUR DEMANDS:

CANCEL THE AUCTIONS: Immediately revoke the leases for the 6 already-auctioned coal blocks (Durgapur-Saria, Taraimar, Sherban, Durgapur-Shahpur, Purunga, and Baisi).

HALT FUTURE MINING: Stop the proposed auction of the remaining 12 coal blocks in the Dharamjaigarh Forest Division.

DECLARE A PROTECTED ZONE: Formally designate the Chhal and Dharamjaigarh ranges as an "Elephant-Affected Protected Area" under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

STRENGTHEN CONSERVATION: Fully integrate these forests into the Lemru Elephant Reserve project to ensure the survival of the species.

The tribal community has spoken: We will not stand by while our forests are turned into craters. If these mines are not stopped, the agitation will only grow.

Sign this petition to demand that the Government of India puts people and elephants before coal!