"How a massive Adani coal project in India’s Hasdeo forests overcame all obstacles", 15 February 2022

In central India, the PEKB coal mine, operated by Adani, has ravaged the local environment and displaced indigenous people. Originally, this area was a ‘no go’ zone for coal mining because of the biodiverse Hasdeo forests. But Adani has been able to overcome all obstacles – political and regulatory – in its pursuit of this coal project, the first of many earmarked for this biodiverse region.

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In the years to come, the mine could expand further. Two new mines are proposed right next to it, also operated by the Adani group for the Rajasthan utility. If PEKB is anything to go by, these mines will overcome all odds and thrive. This is a big win for Adani. For the forests and people of the region, there’s a lot of pain...

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In 2010, the block was marked as a proposed ‘no go’ area for coal mining. The union ministries of coal and environment had come up with the idea as a solution to the endless debates and litigation over environment and development. They would simply mark eco-sensitive areas in advance. But this idea remained on paper...