Bhubaneswar, July 13 -- Bhubaneswar: The fate of nearly nine lakh sal trees in Uchabali, Gandhalpada and Kalimati areas of Guali panchayat under Joda block of Keonjhar district now hangs in balance. Not only Keonjhar, precious green cover in Sundergarh district is likely to be lost as the process of auction of 10 green-field mineral blocks in these two districts has begun at government level.

What is more concerning is the fact that only 200-hectares of non-forest area falls under the identified 10 mineral blocks while forest area constitutes over 700 hectares spanning across both the districts. Though the government wants to utilise the area for minerals, concerns are being raised over its adverse impact not only on environment but also...