New Delhi: Coal/Lignite PSUs have established 15 Eco-parks, including two in Odisha, during the last 5 years, Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
It further said that no fund has been allocated by the government for Eco-parks, and these have been set up and being maintained by respective Coal/Lignite PSUs for recreational purpose of nearby localities.
Chandrashekhar Azad Eco Park at Belpahar, Brajrajnagar, and Utkal Upavan at Lakhnapur area, both in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district, have been developed by Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) at the cost of Rs 278 lakh and Rs 168 lakh respectively. The MLC will also setting up another Eco-park, Jagannath Vatika at an estimated cost of Rs 600 lakh, he informed.
The Union Minister said that the Kenapara Eco-Park, SECL, Chhattisgarh is run and maintained by local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to promote mine tourism. These SHGs are also earning revenues from floating restaurant, pisciculture and boating facilities at the Eco-park, he added.
