Presentation on " Tara Coal Block of CMDC IFFCO Coal Limited for Diversion" made before the Forest Appraisal Committee (FAC), Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India

1. WELCOME TO THE PRESENTATION
ON
TARA COAL BLOCK
OF
CHHATTISGARH MINERAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
(A Public Sector Undertaking of Govt. of Chhattisgarh)
BY
RAVINDRA NATH SAXENA
OFFICIAL CONSULTANT

2. Current status of Tara Coal Project
The “Forest Advisory Committee”, Ministry of
Environment & Forests had following observations
on the FCA proposal:
A. Situated in Hasdeo - Arand coalfields,
B. Felling of large number of tree i.e. 8.46 lakhs,
C. Unsuitable for coal mining due to high
ecological and forest value.
The forest proposal case of CMDC has been revised
in view of the observations of FAC to minimise the
adverse impact on forest and ecology i.e. better site
quality and high density areas reduced from the
Syage-I of “proposed diversion area”.

3. Basic Issues for Presentation
 Proposed diversion area divided into Stage-I and Stage-II.
 Proposed diversion area has been reduced from 2778.18 Ha
to 1808.18 Ha in Stage-I.
 Number of trees for felling has been reduced from 8.46 Lac
to 1.93 Lac in Stage-I and 2.25 Lac in Stage-II.
 Ecological and forest value of proposed diversion area has
been discussed at great length - no regeneration of Sal crop,
Phoenix sylvestris infestation, Sal crop exhibiting signs of
senescence.
 Low status of biodiversity, no endemic / species of “Red Data
Book” found in the area – BSI, IUCN and WLPA.
 Low density wildlife, Tara Wildlife Habitat Conservation Plan
formulated (Rs.12.26 Crore)
 Reclamation Plan (Rs. 336.16 Crore) & Landscape
Management Plans (Rs. 105.60 Crore).
 The saplings of 60cms g.b.h. and above shall be
transplanted un and around diversion area/.

4. FOREST COVER MAP OF SURGUJA & PROJECT LOCATION
Tara
Coal
Block

5. Location of the Tara Coal Block &
1320 M.W. T.P.P. of I.C.P.L.
Tara Coal Block
located at the
fringe of Hasdeo-
Arand coalfield
ICPL Power
Plant site

6. Forest Stock Map of Diversion Area
Area allocation
to
Improvement
WC, signifies
crop is
degraded
deserves
improvement
Area allocation
to RDF –
rehabilitation
WC in WP,
signifies
degraded
forest crop.

7. Phase-wise felling in the original project

8. Alternate Mining Area in Revised Proposal
Forest area
of Comp.
1932, 1977,
1978, 1979,
1985 is
reduced
Site
Quality-III
& high
density
areas of
Comp.
1997, 1982
& 1986 is
reduced.
Forest area
demand for
OB dump,
CHP &
ancillary,
reduced –
1932, 1992,
1993, 1997
Area required for Stage-II operations
A Ridge
separates
Tara from
rest of
Hasdeo –
Arand
coalfields

9. Salient features of Revised Proposal
Parameter Original
proposal
Revised
proposal
Stage-I
Revised
proposal
Stage-II
Impact on forest &
ecology revised
proposal in Stage I
Geographical
area (ha.)
2778.1 1808.0 970.1 Diversion area reduced
Area of RF /
PF (ha.)
1999.8 1029.7 970.1 RF / PF area reduced
by 48.50%
Revenue
forest (ha.)
301.4 301.4 000.0 No change
Tenancy land
(ha.)
476.9 476.9 000.0 -
Tree felligs
(number)
8,46,041 1,93,003 2,25,341 Up to 60cms. g.b.h.
trees shall be
transplanted, felling
50.55 % reduced
Stems per
ha.
363 107 232 Higher felling in Stage-
II
Production
(mmt / annum)
6.00 6.00 6.00 Adequate to operate
2X660 M.W. units

10. Comparative statement of area in
different density classifications
Density
classificatio
n
Area in
original
propo-
sal
Stage-
I
Area in
revise
d
propo-
sal
Stage-
II
Area in
revised
propo-
sal
Impact on forest &
ecology as per revised
proposal in Stage-I
Dense forest NIL NIL NIL Supported with stock
maps of working plan
Medium
Dense forest
1999.8 781.7 970.1 Area reduced by 61% in
Stage-I, Site Quality IVa
Open forest 301.4 549.4 NIL Proportion of open forest
increased by 82%
Non-forest
area
476.9 476.9 NIL -
Total 2778.1 1808.0 970.1 Adverse impact reduced

11. Phase-wise area of revised proposal
0 to 5
years
phase
6 to 10
years
phase
11 to 15
years
phase
16 to 20
years
phase
21 to 25
years
phase
Total
area
Medium
Dense
forest 286.9 128.5 112.3 175.2 78.9 781.8
Open
Forest 205.7 59.5 87.4 84.5 112.2 549.4
Non
forest 172.3 42.1 53.1 79.2 130.2 476.9
Total
area 664.9* 330.1 252.9 338.9 321.3 1808.1
Remarks: Area under 0 to 5 years includes 42.64 Ha for transplantpon of saplings in
“safety zone”; and area for workshop, crushing plant, water clarifier, OB dumps (101
Ha) and approach road etc
* Only 5% OB placed in forest area, rest placed in Kantaroli & Mendra revenue areas.

12. Phase-wise trees felled and seedlings being
planted to reduce ecological imbalance
Phase Phase-wise felling of
trees above 60 cms g.b.h.
Phase-wise
plantation of new
seedlings
Phase-I 69,715 1,50,000
Phase-II 42,519 2,50,000
Phase-III 35,367 2,50,000
Phase-IV 20,198 2,50,000
Phase-V 25,168 2,50,000
Total 1,93,003 11,50,000
Average
(per annum)
7,720 46,000
Note – Approximately 5.96 times seedlings are being planted in comparison of tree
felling In the very Ist year of operation four nurseries (2 Ha each) shall be developed
in consultation with CG Forest Department.

13. Phase-wise transplanting area for saplings
Phase
s
Period of
mining
operation
Geographica
l area
(in ha.)
Place of transplanting
seedlings & saplings (up to
60 cms girth)
I 0 – 5 Years 664.90 App. 53.87 ha of safety
zone shall be used for
transplanting, fruit bearing
trees to villages
II 6 – 10 Years 330.10 Area of Phase-I
III. 11 – 15 Years 252.90 Area of Phase-II
IV 16 – 20 Years 338.90 Area of Phase-III
V 21 – 25 Years 321.30 Area of Phase-IV
About 65 ha. of Phase-V area would be converted into water body,
shall be used for Nistar & irrigation of plantation

14. Prospect of Sal crop drying in the
proposed diversion area
 Sal crop mostly conform to middle to mature crop,
i.e. “pre-selection girth classes” (selection girth 150
cms) – achieving senescence fast.
 Increasing incidence of Chhind (Phoenix sylvestris) is
a disturbing factor, signifies drying of the site, may
lead to susceptibility to dry-rot in Sal and ultimate
crop senescence.
 For crop conditions & Sal regeneration refer page 34,
35, 36, 37, 62, 63, 142 & 143 of working plan* of
Sh. G.D. Sagar, IFS (1997-78 to 2006-07). For threat
to forest crop refer page 68-71 and 82-89 of working
plan** of Sh. Rajesh Nanohrya IFS, (2010-11 to
2019-20)
NB * and ** extract of working plans placed in the handout

15.  Sal Yield Table* substantiate crop longevity
projections (most of the crop is having average crop
diameter of 11.6” to 13.4”- conforming to age from 85
to 105 years)- most of middle aged to mature crop
may die within 40 - 50 years.
 Sal natural regeneration deficient in the area.
 Wish to screen video-film of Tara Timber Depot that
most of the Sal crop is suffering from ‘Dry Rot’.
 Artificial Sal regeneration technique available (Indian
Forester **, July, 2004; J.P. Sharma et al, p-785 to
790)
NB * and ** are placed in the handout

16. Forest Types of the Diversion Area
Conform to “Champion and Seth’s classification” (1967),
to following forest types:
1. 3C/C-2-E : Moist Peninsular High Level Sal Forests.
2. 5A/C-3 : Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forests.

17. Forest Crop of Compartment P-1979, on
the West of Bilaspur – Ambikapur Highway
in the vicinity of Tara village

18. Forest Crop of Compartment P-1979, on
the East of Bilaspur – Ambikapur Highway
in the vicinity of Tara village

19. Forest Crop of Compartment P-1985, on
predominantly Sal; density up to 0.6,
absolute absence of regeneration

20. Forest Crop of Compartment P-1985, on
predominantly Sal; density up to 0.4,
near absence of regeneration

21. Forest Crop of Compartment P-1984,
Mature Sal crop; density 0.5,
Near absence of regeneration

22. Forest Crop of Compartment P-1984, mature Sal
crop with signs of dry rot visible; density 0.5,
Near absence of regeneration

23. Forest Crop of Compartment P-1931, mature Sal
crop; density up to 0.5,
near absence of regeneration

24. Biodiversity Indexing of Tara Coal Block
 The biodiversity indexing of Tara Coal block carried out in rainy
season of the year 2006 and 2007 by professional
taxonomist.
 Twenty five biodiversity sample plots (100m X 100m) were
demarcated in Tara Coal Block for assessment.
 No significant species of Gymnosperm, Pteridophyta or
Bryophyta have been reported in the area. The Shannon-
Weiner Biodiversity Index, Margalef Index, Berger Species
Richness index, Brillouin Index, Brillouin Eveness Index,
Simpson Index and Mclintosh’s Measure of Diversity provides
- low assessment of biodiversity since the area is not having
significant diversity, except presence of Sal.
 The “Red Data Book” and “Flora of Madhya Pradesh”
(volume-I and II) of Botanical Survey of India have been
consulted to determine the status of “threatened species of
flora” in the area. But none of the species specified in
these documents have been encountered in the area.

25. MITIGATION MEASURES PLANNED FOR PROJECT
 Forest felling planned in five phases to reduce / defer
adverse impact.
 Genetic conservation – seed collection for propagation
& plantation in near vicinity.
 Meticulous “Reclamation & Safety Zone Management
Plan”, use of geo-textiles – Rs.336.16 Crore.
(Rs.12.10 Lac per ha.)
 “Landscape planning” for regional ecology restoration
– Rs. 105.60 Crore
 “Wildlife Habitat Conservation & Management Plan” –
outlay Rs.12.26 Crores.
 Compensatory afforestation scheme (Rs. 114.98
Crores).
 Expenditure on mitigation measures- Rs. 569.00
Croress

26. Compensatory Afforestation
 The CA scheme has been formulated as provided in
Circular No. 1914 dt. 24.10.2001, 54 sites, 5760 ha.,
Rs. 114.98 crores. (Rs. 1,99, 618 per ha.)
 Maintenance 5 years, site specific projects, entry point
activities.
S.
No.
Division Number
of sites
Area
(ha.)
Ranges
1. South
Surguja
46 3460 Lakhanpur, Kudargarh,
Ambikapur, Sitapur,
Surajpur, Premnagar,
Udaipur
2. North
Surguja
28 2300 Dhamni, Pratappur, Ghui,
Wardrufnagar, Biharpur
Total 54 5760
Note : Excess 1160 ha. shall be used for 1320 M.W. TPP of ICPL

27. Water balance for Tara Coal Mine
S.
No.
Use of Water in Mine Quantity required
(kilo liters per day)
1. Sprinkling 409
2. Workshop 8
3. Drinking and sanitation 58.5
Total 475.5
Proposed water consumption of the project
Ground water seepage estimate
Period Make of water kilo liters per day
1st Year 1960
5th Year 2156
10th Year 1764
20th Year 1646
Conceptual 1646
Note - Adequate water available to take care of mine water demand

28. Reclamation Plan
The proposed diversion area is gently undulating and
doesn’t suffer any soil erosion. Mining Plan approved by
the Ministry of Coal, GoI
Eco-friendly mining techniques will be adopted by
CMDC for the development and
operation of mine – simultaneous reclamation,
application of geo-textiles on OBD.
Suitable soil & moisture conservation measures
prescribed.
Angle of repose 200 to 280 only, suitable bench
terracing for OBD stability.

29.  The care has been taken to start reclamation
operation simultaneously. At end of 0 to 5th year
phase, the forest land shall for deforested and
demanded for 6th to 10th year and simultaneously
the mined-out areas shall be subjected to
reclamation.
 As far as possible the gene pool of the area shall be
conserved by seed collection from plus-trees and
would be sown in the nursery for raising seedlings
for plantation in the safety zone, nearby blank
areas and reclamation operations.
 The trees having small girth upto 60 cms. shall be
transplanted to safety zone in the beginning with
the assistance of heavy earth moving machinery
and afterwards the advance growth of 6th to 10
year shall be shifted to reclaimed area of “0” to 5th
year.

30. Similarly the advance growth of 11th to 15th year shall
be shifted to the technically reclaimed site in 6th to
10th year. And this process shall be repeated for
subsequent phases as well. The technology for shifting
of small trees to short distance is available. But in the
beginning there may be casualties due to inexperience
of the staff.
Since Surguja is having rainfall range of 1200-1500
m.m., the shifting and survival of small trees shall not
be a problem.
Bench
terracing
designed at 8
meter interval
for structural
stability
Contour
bunding for
stability &
moisture
conservation

31. Use of geo-textile along with Stylosanthus
scabra and Acacia auriculiformis

32. Ultimate Mine Pit – shall be converted into water body
Water
body

33. Sal Regeneration Technique to be adopted on
technically reclaimed sites and degraded sites
in Buffer zone
 Protection against biotic interference.
 Deep soil working upto 45 cms depth.
 Collection of winged Sal seed and direct sowing of
five kilogram seeds per ha.
 Monitoring of germination of Sal seeds and
maintaining soil moisture regime if monsoon is
delayed. The soil moisture regime shall be
maintained with the use of drip irrigation and agro-
net, if required.
 Humus enrichment by farm yard manure / sewage
sludge.

34. Assisted Sal Regeneration
Site Ambikapur Nursury, Distt. Surguja, Chhattisgarh

35. Established Assisted Sal Regeneration
Site Ambikapur Nursury, Distt. Surguja, Chhattisgarh. Sal Crop raised in 1984-85

36. Sal Plantation
Rajgamar Plantation, Korba Range, Korba Division, Chhattisgarh

37. Sal Plantation
Site Chotia Mine, Hasdeo- Arand Coalfield, Distt. Korba, Chhattisgarh

38. Salient features of the Safety Zone
S. No. Direction
Length of
safety zone
(in meters)
Width of
safety zone
(in meters)
Area for
treatment
(in ha.)
Total area
(in ha.)
1. North 8530 50.0 42.650 42.650
2. East 5380 7.5 4.035 4.035
3. South 3500 7.5 2.625 2.625
4. West 6090 7.5 4.567 4.567
Total 23500 53.877 53.877

39. Landscape Management Plan
Intensive plantation of forestry, cover, forage and
fruit bearing species within 25 kms radius of Tara
Coal Project to maintain ecological stability in the
regional landscape.
Effective check against contamination of water
bodies already existing / being created after
landscaping of the open cast coal mine.
Intensive soil moisture conservation.
Continuous development of – forage, grasses
and small timber for local nistar concessions.
Continuous evaluation & monitoring of the
prescriptions.

40. Phase-wise expenditure on landscape planning
Year
Cost of
technical
landscape
planning in
lakh Rs.
(@ Rs.1.20
lakhs per ha.)
Cost of
biological
landscape
planning
operations in
lakh Rs.
(@ Rs.3.00
lakhs per ha.)
Total cost of
landscape
planning
(in lakh Rs.)
Ist Year 360.00 - 360.00
IInd Year 480.00 1080.00 1560.00
IIIrdYear 600.00 1440.00 2040.00
IVth Year 600.00 1800.00 2400.00
Vth Year 600.00 1800.00 2400.00
VIth Year - 1800.00 1800.00
Grand
Total
2640.00 7920 10560.00

41. Status of wild fauna & flora
The proposed diversion area is not an
established habitat of any species
specified in:
 Schedule-I or Schedule-II, Part-II or Schedule-
VI of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972;
 Red Data Book of International Union for
Conservation of Nature & Natural resources
(IUCN) and
 Red Data Book of Botanical Survey of India.
Low Density Wildlife
Rare visitation, well evident that the project is not posing any
serious threat to wildlife or biodiversity of the area.

42. Tara Wildlife Habitat Conservation &
Management Plan
(with Indian Elephant Conservation Initiative)
 Project Area – Entire Udaipur Range.
 Project Period – 10 Years.
 Outlay - Rs. 12.26 crores
(includes recurring expenditure)
 Executive Agency - CG Forest Department

43. Status of wildlife
 The proposed diversion area doesn’t form a part of migration route
of any species. Though Surguja, Jashpur & Raigarh districts have
become home to about 175 elephants migrated from Jharkhand.
 These elephants are roaming around Kudargarh Range and Tamor
Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary. The elephant physiology requires large
quantity of water (approximately 250 liters a day for adult
elephant) and forage upto 300 to 320 Kgs.
 The diversion area is not having characteristic of riparian
zone. Absence of Grasses, Bad, Pipal, Bargad, Tendu etc
signifies that the area is not suitable for wildlife.
 There is no sanctuary in South Surguja Division. The Surguja
district is having Tamor-pingla wildlife sanctuary (North surguja
division, distance 85 to 86 kms.), Semarsote wildlife sanctuary
(East Surguja Division, distance 115 to 116 kms. these are having
a distance of about 85 to 116 kms.
 The nearest Guru Ghasidas national park is situated in Korea
district, which is approximately 120 kms. away from the proposed
diversion area.

44. Progress of Coal Project
 GR & DPR is ready. Mining Plan is approved by
Ministry of Coal.
 All procedural, legal & statutory formalities
completed for private land acquisition in all the five
villages
 Approval of Central Govt. received for Mining
lease
 Final presentation made to Expert Committee ,
MoEF for Environment Clearance. Awaiting forest
clearance.
 Techno-Commercial Evaluation completed for
selection of Mine Development Operator (MDO).
Price bids opening due on 30.03.2011
 Total expenditure made till now is Rs. 21 Crore

45. Progress of End Use Project
IFFCO Chhattisgarh Power Ltd.
 All major clearances obtained except Environment &
Forest.
 Acquisition of total 470 ha private & Government
land is complete.
 Water allocation of 36 MCM made by Chhattisgarh
Water Resources Department.
 Technical Evaluation of Boiler & TG bids is complete
 Draft tenders for BoP packages are ready
 IDBI is the lead debt syndicator. Project appraisal
complete and approved by IDBI Board
 Total expenditure incurred till now is Rs. 90 Crore

46. 46
Resettlement & Rehabilitation Plan
S.
No.
Details Total
(Lakh
Rs.)
1 Compensation for agricultural land (Value includes
Guideline Rates, 30% Solatium) + 25% additional by
CICL
4170
2 Payment of Compensation for Encroached land 990
3 Compensation for project affected persons (PAPs)
losing built-up properties on the basis of the cost of
construction of similar house (385 nos.)
630
4 Distribution of plots to PAP families of (sizes 600 / 450 /
300 sq.mt.)
254
5 Compensation for trees, wells, hand-pumps, ponds etc 650
6 Grants for shifting cattle, establishing shops etc. 46
Total 6740
Expenses on land acquisition and R&R package

47. 47
Resettlement & Rehabilitation Plan
S.
No.
Details Total (Rs.
In Lakh)
1. Employment in the company shall be given on the
basis of availability of positions in the company, in
order of percentage of land acquired per family.
-
2. Permanent shops will be constructed on the land
made available by the Collector for affected persons
60
3. Those who have no children or the eligible person not
willing for employment, will be paid Rs. 1 lakh in place
of employment.
100
4. Amount equivalent to the remuneration of 200 days in
a year at the rate of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme shall be paid as
disturbance allowance.
190
Total 350
Compensation for persons eligible for employment

48. Implementation of Scheduled Tribe and Other
Forests Dwellers (Recognition of Forests
Rights) Act, 2006 in Tara Coal Block
S.
No.
Village No. of
Families
Patta
granted in
Revenue
Forest Area
(ha)
Patta
granted
in RF/PF
Area (ha)
Community
rights
granted
area (ha.)
1. Tara 67 27.77 NIL 12.20
2. Kantaroli 44 40.60 2.32 36.82
3. Mendra 1 NIL 1.88 -
TOTAL 112 68.37 4.20 49.02
Details of individual rights / community rights granted under the Act

49. Humble Prayer
The project proponent humbly submits as
under to the Forest Appraisal Committee:
I. The FAC may like to recommend to MOEF
according “in-principal clearance” to Tara Coal
Project for -
A. Stage-I :Diversion of 1331.20 ha.
B. Stage-II: Diversion of 970.00 ha.
II. The “Forest Appraisal Committee” may
consider and review performance of the
project proponent after opportune time and
accordingly “forest entry permission for Stage-
II area” may be granted.
III.The FAC may like to stipulate any other
condition for ecological balance of the region.

50. Thanks for your kind attention
The Future Vision

51. IFFCO’s efforts towards development of
Farms & Forestry
 IFFCO promoted Indian Farm Forestry
Development Cooperative Limited (IFFDC)
to carry on farm forestry and sustainable
rural development programs at larger
scale
 IFFDC has developed more than 26000 Ha
of waste lands with 10 million matured
trees in UP, MP & Rajasthan
 Promoted 145 village level Farm Forestry
Cooperatives with membership base of
28287, of which women membership is
32%

52. State wise Area Afforested by
IFFDC
Sl.
No
.
State Area
(ha)
Surviving
Trees
(in Lakh)
1. Uttar Pradesh 111415 36.08
2. Madhya Pradesh 6429 40.22
3. Rajasthan 9100 21.86
Total 26,910 98.17

53. DEVELOPING SODIC LANDS-
Sultanpur (U. P.) (125 Ha)
BEFORE AFTER

54. AFFORESTATION OVER
WATER LOGGED AREA,
Sultanpur U. P. 70 Ha
Before After

55. Forestry development in Graveled
Land in Sagar (M. P.) on 500 Ha