The Government’s decision to stop Mahan coal block from mining, saving the forests and livelihoods of thousands was celebrated by villagers from 20 villages at a rally in Amelia village of Singrauli in Mahan forests of Madhya Pradesh.
The festivities began as the villagers offered their prayers to Deeh Baba –their village deity. As scores of villagers made their way to the meeting, the venue echoed with traditional folk songs about the forests and how the lives of the forest communities were dependent on them.
While the government has decided to spare Mahan, there are other coal blocks in the region which are still under threat. As a symbol of protest, MSS activists tore the proposed Land Acquisition Amendments Bill, buried it, and planted a Mahua sapling on top marking the triumph of people power.