Angul, Jul 20: A proposed coal mining project in Odisha’s Angul district has sparked serious environmental concerns, with more than 331,000 trees likely to be felled to make way for the mine. Environmental experts have warned that the project could severely damage the region’s biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and ecological balance.

The Alakananda Coal Mine has been allocated to Rungta Sons Private Limited. To facilitate mining operations, more than 750 hectares of forest land are proposed to be diverted for non-forest use.

The mine is located just 4.9 km from the Similipal–Satkosia Tiger Corridor and around 8.5 km from the Sambalpur Elephant Reserve, making it an ecologically sensitive area. In recent years, the region has recorded sightings of elephant calves, sloth bears, leopards, and several other rare wildlife species.

According to environmental experts, the destruction of forest cover could force wild animals to move closer to human settlements, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict while causing irreversible damage to biodiversity.

One of the most alarming aspects of the project is the proposed large-scale tree felling. Official records show that 334,408 trees have been identified within the mining area, of which 331,818 trees—nearly 99% of the forest cover in the designated zone—are proposed to be cut.

The proposal received a recommendation for Stage-I (in-principle) forest clearance during a meeting of the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change held on July 7.

Experts have also cautioned that mining activities could adversely affect the nearby Olahani River and Tikira River, a tributary of the Brahmani River. They warn that excavation may alter the rivers' natural flow and significantly increase water pollution.

The project is also expected to have a major social impact. According to available information, 818 families from five villages are likely to be displaced, while a total of 1,584 families could be affected by the proposed mine.

Authorities have reportedly planned to carry out the tree-felling in phases after consultation with the State Forest Department. However, environmentalists argue that the project could come at a significant ecological cost, raising fresh concerns over balancing industrial development with environmental conservation.