Proposed 1600 MW Thermal Power Project in Mirzapur faces environmental scrutiny

The proposed 1600 MW coal-based ultra supercritical thermal power project in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, does not involve forest land for the main site, but 8.35 hectares of forest land is needed for a water pipeline and road access, the government informed Parliament. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently took suo motu notice of a report indicating that the 665 hectares of land for the project site is recorded as a ‘forest’ in a 1952 gazette notification, though it is pending notification under the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed that Mirzapur Thermal Energy (UP) Private Limited has sought terms of reference (ToRs) for preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project. The total project area is 365.19 hectares, with no forest land directly involved. However, 8.35 hectares of forest land is required outside the project area for infrastructure, and the project proponent has applied for Stage-I forest clearance.

The EIA report, based on ToRs, evaluates the project’s environmental impacts, including effects on flora and fauna, and prepares a corresponding Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The use of any forest land must comply with state and central laws, and the state government maintains land records.

The TMC’s Mausam Noor questioned the government about the forest status of the project site and the protection of the area’s unique flora and fauna, including the sloth bear, listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act. The ministry’s January 2022 guidelines state that non-site-specific proposals, such as establishing industries or residential colonies, cannot be considered on forest land.

The Vindhyan Ecology and Natural History Foundation, a research group, highlighted that the site was previously proposed for a 1320 MW coal-based power plant by Welspun Energy, later transferred to the Adani group’s Mirzapur Energy. The NGT had set aside the environmental clearance for that project in 2016, directing the site to be restored to its original condition. The foundation emphasized the area’s ecological significance, home to diverse and threatened wildlife, including species listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, and crucial bird habitats.