Save Buxwaha Forest : Why 2.5 lakh trees are being cut ?

 

    Around 2.5 lakh trees to be cut for the Buxwaha diamond mine project in Madhya Pradesh.  So the question is hovering over the mind of many environmentalists, 'Which is more important : diamond or tree?'

Importance of Buxwaha forest :

The Buxwaha forest is located in the Chhattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. The forest also belongs to the Bundelkhand region of India and about 225 km away from Bhopal. This forest area also a part of dry deciduous forest region of Narmada Valley.

The forest is the habitat of many valuable trees which are used for medicine. Many wildlife animals like Indian Gazelle, Chowsingha, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Monitor Lizard, Indian Rumped Vulture and Peacock dwell in this forest.

 The forest also has economical importance for the local farmers and residents. Their livelihood depends on this forest. The Bundelkhand region is one of those regions where water crisis is a big problem. Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) of India has declared the Chhattarpur district as semi-critical region.

Diamond Mine Project :

It is estimated that if the project starts it will be the largest Diamond mine of Asia. So the economical interest of this project is huge. The mining company has already invested Rs.2500 crore. A total of 364 hectors of area has been identified for the project and 2.5 lakh trees will be killed to start the project. Mining will require 59 lakh cubic litre of water per day. To fulfill the requirement a seasonal nallah will be diverted into a reservoir.

Impact on Environment :

The Buxwaha forest has a huge ecological importance for the whole Bundelkhand region. If trees are cut the whole ecosystem will be destroyed. 

The wildlife animals will lose their shelter. The seasonal water from the forest flows to the Betwa river, but if mining starts groundwater level will drastically come down. Water crisis will be doubled and people of this region will be severely impacted. 

A total of 23 lakh trees for the Ken-Betwa interlinking project and 1.9 lakh trees for the Bundelkhand Expressway have already been cut in this region. Also the seasonal nallah which will be diverted for mining will increase the problem.
Not only the ecology but also the people of this region will be impacted. So many people will lose their livelihood. So the project will impact us in every way.

Protest against the project :

Local residents of Chhattarpur district and environmentalists have been protesting against the project. Now they are protesting  through chipko movement, hugging the trees as their child. The campaign also going on in different social media with #SaveBuxwahaForest . Environmentalists from all over India are raising their voices to save the lives of 2.5 lakh innocent trees.

Forest cover in india :

India's forest cover is 24.56%, which is much below the average forest cover of the world, which is 30.4%. On one hand the Indian government had set the target to cover 33% of India's land area with forest, on the other hand trees are being cut in the name of development. What would we do with that development where the existence of mankind is in risk ? The COVID-19 pandemic has realised us the importance of oxygen which we get from trees. But it seems that we did not learn anything.

        So the government must decide what is the actual meaning of sustainable development and which is more important Diamond or Tree ? Otherwise the whole civilization will have pay for this ignorance.