In a shocking display of corporate overreach, the Adani-led coal mining project in Raigarh’s Mudagaon has triggered massive deforestation, sparking fierce protests, arrests of political leaders, and allegations of illegal tree felling, threatening both the environment and tribal livelihoods.
By Rusen Kumar
RAIGARH (Chhattisgarh): The lush forests of Mudagaon in Tamnar block (30 KM from Raigarh), Raigarh district, are under siege as large-scale tree felling for a coal mining project, allegedly led by the Adani Group and Mahagenco, has ignited fierce protests from local villagers and environmental activists. The situation escalated dramatically on June 26, 2025, when police detained Congress MLA Vidyawati Sidar, former BJP MLA Satyanand Rathia, and over 50 villagers during a demonstration against deforestation. The heavy-handed police response, coupled with allegations of illegal tree cutting and violations of tribal rights, has sparked outrage and raised questions about the motives behind the project and the state’s complicity.
The Conflict in Mudagaon: A Battle for Forests and Tribal Rights
In the heart of Chhattisgarh’s Tamnar block, the village of Mudagaon has become the epicenter of a contentious battle between corporate interests, government authorities, and local communities. The proposed coal mining project in the Gare Pelma Sector II coal block, reportedly operated by the Adani Group as the Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) for Mahagenco (Maharashtra State Power Generation Company), threatens to raze thousands of trees in a region known for its rich biodiversity and cultural significance to the indigenous Gond and other tribal communities.
Villagers, environmentalists, and activists allege that the tree felling, which began on June 25, 2025, is being carried out illegally, without proper consent from gram sabhas (village councils) as mandated by the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA). According to sources, the project will impact 14 villages and nine gram panchayats, affecting approximately 9,500 people whose livelihoods depend on the forest and agriculture.
On June 26, as news of the tree cutting spread, hundreds of villagers gathered in Mudagaon to protest. The demonstration turned chaotic when a heavy police force, reportedly numbering in the thousands, was deployed to suppress the agitation. Protesters, including women and elderly villagers, were chased away, and those who resisted were detained. Among those arrested were Congress MLA Vidyawati Sidar, who represents Lailunga, and former BJP MLA Satyanand Rathia, a prominent local leader and former minister. Both leaders were later released, but the arrests have fueled accusations of political suppression and corporate favoritism.
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Clashes Amid Rain: Police Action and Alleged Illegalities
The protests took place under challenging conditions, with intermittent rain falling in the region since the evening of June 25. Despite the inclement weather, tree felling continued unabated, with police stationed to prevent villagers from interfering. Activists and locals claim that the deforestation is being carried out without the presence of forest department officials, a violation of standard protocol. “This is completely illegal. Trees are being cut without gram sabha consent or oversight from the forest department,” said well-known environmentalist Rajesh Tripathi, a Raigarh-based activist who has been vocal against the project.
“The illegal tree felling in Mudagaon is a blatant violation of tribal rights and environmental laws, driven by corporate greed with no regard for the forests or the people who depend on them,” said Rajesh Tripathi.
The villagers’ grievances are compounded by allegations that the environmental clearances for the Gare Pelma Sector II coal mine, granted in 2022, were based on fraudulent gram sabha resolutions. In 2019, a gram sabha hearing was conducted, but local representatives later challenged its legitimacy, leading to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) canceling the initial approval. However, in 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reissued clearance, prompting accusations of bypassing legal safeguards to favor corporate interests.
The heavy police presence has drawn particular ire. Locals report that barricades were set up at village entrances to restrict movement, and protesters were forcibly removed or detained. On October 17, 2024, a similar protest in the nearby Hasdeo Arand region saw violent clashes, with injuries to both villagers and police, highlighting a pattern of aggressive state intervention in mining-related disputes.
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Political Firestorm: BJP and Congress Leaders Detained
The arrests of tribal leaders Vidyawati Sidar and Satyanand Rathia have added a political dimension to the controversy. Sidar, a Congress MLA, joined the protesters to express solidarity with the affected villagers, while Rathia, a BJP leader and former minister, also voiced opposition to the tree felling. Their detentions have raised eyebrows, with critics questioning whether the arrests were intended to suppress dissent or signal internal political maneuvering.
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Chhattisgarh Govt. acting as a “puppet” of Adani Group: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Raigarh has accused the BJP-led state government of acting as a “puppet” of the Adani Group, alleging that the administration is prioritizing corporate profits over tribal rights and environmental conservation. AAP Raigarh district president Gopal Bapodia stated, “The forests, water, and land are the identity of Chhattisgarh. It’s a travesty that a tribal chief minister is overseeing their destruction.”
Congress state chief Deepak Baij and Kharsia MLA Umesh Patel, who visited Mudagaon on June 27 to support the protesters, condemned the Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP government for its “anti-tribal and anti-environment policies.” He claimed that the previous Congress government had opposed similar mining projects in the Hasdeo Arand region and accused the BJP of reversing those protections. “The BJP is looting Chhattisgarh’s natural resources for Adani,” Baij said, referencing the arrests and ongoing deforestation.
However, the involvement of both BJP and Congress leaders in the protests has led to speculation about political opportunism. Some locals question why Sidar did not engage with affected villages earlier, suggesting her presence at the protest may have been a calculated move to gain political mileage. Similarly, Rathia’s arrest, despite his affiliation with the ruling BJP, has raised questions about whether the party is attempting to balance corporate interests with public sentiment ahead of upcoming elections.
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Environmental and Legal Concerns
The deforestation in Mudagaon is part of a broader pattern of environmental degradation linked to coal mining in Chhattisgarh, particularly in the Hasdeo Arand and Raigarh regions. The Hasdeo Arand, often called the “lungs of Chhattisgarh,” spans 1,879.6 square kilometers and is home to diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species like elephants, leopards, and sloth bears. Mining activities in the region have already destroyed vast swathes of forest, disrupted water sources, and increased human-wildlife conflict.
Environmentalists argue that the tree felling violates several laws, including the Forest Rights Act, PESA, and the National Forest Policy, 1988, which prioritize ecological balance and tribal rights. Raigarh forest division sources indicate that private entities undertaking tree cutting are required to plant 100 trees for every one felled, but there is little enforcement or monitoring to ensure compliance. “The system is ripe for exploitation,” said Tripathi, highlighting the lack of oversight.
The Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan (CBA), a coalition of people’s movements, has been at the forefront of opposing coal mining in the region. CBA convener Alok Shukla stated, “The government is rushing to clear forests under pressure from corporates, ignoring the unanimous resolution passed by the Chhattisgarh Assembly in 2022 to cancel all coal blocks in Hasdeo Arand.”
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Adivasi Identity and Corporate Influence
The protests in Mudagaon underscore the broader struggle of Chhattisgarh’s Adivasi communities to protect their land, forests, and way of life. The Adani Group, which operates multiple coal mines in the state, including the Parsa East Kete Basan (PEKB) and Parsa blocks, has faced accusations of using coercive tactics, such as appointing local “coordinators” to sway community opinion and suppress resistance.
Villagers allege that these coordinators spread misinformation, claiming that mining will bring development, while downplaying the environmental and social costs. “They divide our communities and defame those who resist,” said Muneshwar, a resident of Fatehpur, one of the affected villages.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has called for an immediate halt to tree felling across Chhattisgarh, a transparent investigation into gram sabha consents, and accountability for those violating environmental laws. “This is not just about trees; it’s about the survival of millions who depend on these forests,” said Rajendra Ekka, AAP’s Raigarh Lok Sabha president.
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Facts About the Mudagaon Deforestation Controversy
Location and Project: The tree felling is occurring in Mudagaon, Tamnar block, Raigarh district, for the Gare Pelma Sector II coal mine, operated by the Adani Group as MDO for Mahagenco. The project affects 14 villages and 9,500 people.
Arrests: On June 26, 2025, Congress MLA Vidyawati Sidar, former BJP MLA Satyanand Rathia, and over 50 villagers were detained during protests. They were later released.
Alleged Illegalities: Villagers claim the tree cutting violates PESA and the Forest Rights Act, with environmental clearances based on fraudulent gram sabha resolutions. The NGT canceled earlier approvals in 2019, but new clearances were issued in 2024.
Environmental Impact: The deforestation threatens biodiversity, water sources, and increases human-wildlife conflict. Over 1,500 trees have reportedly been felled since June 25, 2025.
Police Action: Thousands of police personnel were deployed to suppress protests, with barricades restricting village access. Clashes occurred, but no major injuries were reported.
Political Context: All leading political leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party, the BJP and the Congress have criticized the project, with AAP accusing the state government of favoring corporate interests. The arrests of leaders from both parties have raised questions about political motives.
Legal Framework: Tree felling requires gram sabha consent and compensatory afforestation (100 trees per tree cut), but enforcement is weak.
(India CSR)
About the Author
Rusen Kumar is a senior journalist and author, widely recognized for his insightful coverage of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), environment, and sustainability. With over two decades of experience in media and development communication, he has emerged as a thought leader in promoting responsible business practices and sustainable development in India. Through his writings, editorials, and interviews, Rusen Kumar continues to influence public discourse on ethical corporate conduct and environmental stewardship.
