Mahan Vikas Manch condemns Greenpeace’s efforts to disrupt tree census
Appeals to district administration to initiate contempt of court proceedings
Singrauli, July 4, 2014: Mahan Vikas Manch (MVM), a pro-development NGO, has strongly condemned the efforts of anti-development NGOs Greenpeace and Mahan SangharshSamiti (MSS) to prevent the tree counting exercise in Mahan Forest by the MP state forest department.
The tree census is being done under the instructions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). MVM has pointed out that disrupting the tree count under the garb of social activism amounts to contempt of court since the Tribunal is mandated by the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals at the earliest.
With Greenpeace losing support among the local villagers because of its anti-development stance, the foreign NGO has started using a small band of paid women “activists”, mostly outsiders, to harass the forest officials. The local villagers have realized that by misbehaving with forest officials the “activists” and delaying the count.
MVM President PrahladPanika said, “We strongly condemn the anti-development efforts of Greenpeace under the banner of MSS to delay the project. We request the district administration to take strong action against these outsiders who are misguiding simple villagers and delaying the project. In fact, obstructing the work amounts to contempt of court. This utter disregard for the judiciary should attract contempt proceedings to ensure that such blatant acts are not disguised in the garb of genuine village protests.”
Following a complaint from the Forest Department, the Singrauli police on May 8 arrested two members of Greenpeace and two members from MSS for allegedly trying to stop forest officials from conducting the survey of the trees. According to FIR, the so-called activists snatched the equipment, which was being used to conduct the tree census.
Elaborating on the subject, Panika said, “We have also requested the district administration to hold the gram sabha (village council) meeting in Ameliya village to decide the issue of distribution of compensation in lieu of Mahua, Tendu leave etc. being collected by villagers from the forest land diverted to Mahan Coal ltd. MVM is confident that the villagers will vote for development and progress to safeguard their economic interests. Today, we neither have jobs nor do we get compensation because vested interests have managed to stall the project.”
MVM has demanded a significant hike in compensation for Forest Rights so that the affected villagers get a higher monetary benefit. With the full support of the villagers of Ameliya, Budher and Suggu for sustainable development, MVM will continue to fight for the rights of the villagers and oppose the anti-national and anti-development activities of foreign funded NGOs like Greenpeace and their local surrogates.
About National Green Tribunal (NGT)
The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18 October 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
The Tribunal's dedicated jurisdiction in environmental matters shall provide speedy environmental justice and help reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts. The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within at the earliest.

Mahan Vikas Manch
Village: Ameliya PO: KarsuaLal
District: Singrauli - 486886 (MP)
Spokesperson - Raj Narayan Singh
Ph No: +91-9977787841