Third postponement in six months reflects rising resistance from tribal communities, environmental activists and affected villages in Raigarh
RAIGARH. Chhattisgarh (India CSR): The public hearing scheduled for May 19, 2026, for South Eastern Coalfields Limited’s proposed Gare Pelma/Pelma coal mining project in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh has been postponed indefinitely following strong local opposition and concerns over law and order.
The hearing was to be held as part of the environmental clearance process for the proposed coal mining project in the Tamnar block of Raigarh District in Chhattisgarh State. However, the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board, Nava Raipur, issued an official notice on Monday, stating that the hearing would remain postponed until further orders.
The latest cancellation has once again brought the spotlight on the growing resistance against coal mining expansion in the region.
According to local sources, this is the third time in six months that a public hearing related to the project has been postponed or scrapped amid mounting public pressure.
Decision Taken After Collector’s Request
According to the notice issued by the Member Secretary of the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board, the decision was taken following a request from the Raigarh Collector and District Magistrate.
The Board acted on a letter issued by the Additional Collector, Raigarh, on May 18, 2026. The letter, bearing reference number 391/J.Su./Environment/Additional Collector/2026, requested the postponement of the proposed public hearing.
Following the request, the Board deferred the public hearing that was scheduled to take place the next day.
Project Faces Strong Resistance
The proposed coal mining project is linked to South Eastern Coalfields Limited. The project also involves the Adani Group as the Mine Developer and Operator (MDO).
The project has faced intense opposition from local tribal communities, farmers, forest-dependent families and environmental activists. Residents allege that the expansion of coal mining in the region threatens their land, livelihood, forests, water sources and cultural identity.
The affected communities have repeatedly said that industrial projects in the area have already caused displacement, pollution and social distress. They argue that any further mining activity will deepen the crisis.
Villages Fear Loss of Land and Livelihood
The proposed mining operations are expected to affect several villages in the Tamnar region. Earlier information related to the project mentioned nine villages—Pelma, Urba, Maduadumar, Lalpur, Hinjhar, Jarhidih, Sakta, Milupara and Kharra.
Local activists, however, claim that the wider impact zone covers more than 14 villages. Residents from these affected villages have united under local protest groups to oppose the proposed open-cast and underground mining operations.
The proposed mining lease area is around 2,077.934 hectares, while the production capacity is stated to be 15 million tonnes per annum.
Villagers say their economy depends almost entirely on agriculture, forest produce and local natural resources. They fear that losing land would mean losing their only source of survival.
Environmental Concerns Deepen Anger
Environmental degradation is one of the central issues behind the protests.
Residents and activists say the Hasdeo-Raigarh forest belt is already under heavy industrial pressure. They point to rising air and water pollution, declining groundwater levels and increasing human-elephant conflict as serious warning signs.
According to protesters, the expansion of mining activity will destroy forest habitats, increase dust pollution, affect agricultural fields and further reduce access to clean water.
They argue that the region has paid a heavy price for industrial development, while local communities have received little benefit in return.
In the mammalian species cataloged within the mine lease area, four species listed under Schedule-I were identified: Golden Jackal, Indian Fox, Jungle Cat, and Common Mongoose. Furthermore, twelve mammalian species documented in the project’s buffer zone are also categorized under Schedule-I as per the revised Indian Wildlife Protection Amendment Act 2022 (IWPAA). Among these, the Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, and Indian Pangolin stand out as the most notable mammalian species observed in the project’s buffer zone. The baseline study area revealed the presence of four Schedule-I bird species, including Shikra, Eurasian Owl, Indian Peafowl, and Crested Serpent Eagle. Additionally, among the Schedule-I reptiles, the Rock Python, Rat Snake, Monitor Lizard, Indian Cobra, and Checkered Keelback were recorded within the project’s impact zone. A site specific WLCP will be prepared by DFO for conservation of Wildlife.
Tribal Rights and Gram Sabha Consent at the Centre
Another major concern is the alleged violation of tribal rights.
Raigarh falls under a Schedule V area, where laws such as the PESA Act require the consent of Gram Sabhas before decisions related to land acquisition, mining and natural resources are taken.
Protesters claim that the voices of Gram Sabhas are being ignored or bypassed. They say that no mining project should proceed without the free, prior and informed consent of local village councils.
For tribal communities, the issue is not only about land compensation. It is about constitutional rights, self-governance, cultural survival and control over natural resources.
Protests Force Administration to Step Back
The cancellation follows a series of intense public protests in Raigarh.
Thousands of tribal men, women and children have earlier staged demonstrations and camp-outs outside the Raigarh District Collectorate. Protesters raised slogans such as “Jal, Jungle, Zameen Hamara Hai”, asserting their right over water, forests and land.
In recent months, public hearings related to mining projects in the region have reportedly witnessed chaos, sharp public anger and confrontations between residents and authorities.
Against this background, the district administration appears to have chosen postponement to prevent any possible law-and-order situation.
Voices from the Ground
Local activists say the opposition will continue unless the concerns of villagers are addressed honestly.
One activist said, “We will not give up a single square inch of our land. The factories and mines promised us prosperity decades ago, but all we received was despair, displaced families and ruined fields. We are here to protect our future.”
The statement reflects the deep trust deficit between local communities, companies and the administration.
Hearing Was to Be Held in Pelma
The public hearing was scheduled to take place at 11:00 am on May 19, 2026, near Atal Chowk in Pelma village, post Urba.
It was being conducted under the environmental clearance process laid down by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The purpose was to collect views and objections from affected villagers and stakeholders.
Administrative and company-level preparations had reportedly been made for the hearing. However, the last-minute postponement has changed the course of the process.
Future of Project Remains Uncertain
With three back-to-back cancellations, the future of the Gare Pelma coal expansion project now hangs in uncertainty.
The Environment Conservation Board’s order states that the public hearing will remain postponed until further orders. This means no fresh hearing will take place until the administration announces a new date.
For now, the project remains caught between industrial expansion plans and strong grassroots resistance.
The situation in Raigarh reflects a larger conflict between coal-based development, tribal rights, environmental protection and local consent. Unless the administration, company and affected communities find common ground, the controversy around the Gare Pelma coal block is likely to intensify further.
(India CSR)
