4 days ago
Citizens Urge Odisha to Halt Eastern Ghats Bauxite Mining
A group of people asked Odisha’s chief minister to be careful about new bauxite mines.
Bauxite is a mineral used to make aluminium.
They are worried about mining in the Eastern Ghats, where there are forests, streams and many kinds of plants and animals.
They said mining could harm water sources and biodiversity for a very long time.
They were especially concerned about a large bauxite block in Kalahandi district.
They also said mining could affect tribal communities that depend on nature for their livelihoods.
The group said it does not oppose development if it protects the environment.
It wants natural resources preserved for future generations.
A delegation of academics, retired officials and environmentalists urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to stop mining leases in ecologically sensitive areas.
The group warned that expanded bauxite mining could irreversibly damage forests, water resources and biodiversity.
It raised concerns about the proposed leasing of the 248-million-tonne Karlapat bauxite block in Kalahandi to BALCO, a Vedanta subsidiary.
The delegation cited wider mining expansion and auction notifications in Koraput, Rayagada and Kalahandi, including the Sasubohu Mali block.
The group said tribal communities depend on the Eastern Ghats’ forests, farmland, water resources and biodiversity for their livelihoods.
- Who
- A delegation of academics, retired civil servants, environmentalists and other citizens, including former officials and university leaders, petitioned Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
- What
- They urged the Odisha government to stop granting mining leases in ecologically sensitive areas and raised concerns about expanding bauxite mining.
- Where
- The concerns focus on bauxite-rich areas of Odisha’s Eastern Ghats, particularly Koraput, Rayagada and Kalahandi districts.
- When
- The delegation met the chief minister on Thursday evening and held a media conference on Friday.
- Why
- The group said unchecked mining could cause irreversible damage to forests, water resources, biodiversity and the livelihoods of tribal communities.
Key facts
- Main concern
- Expansion of bauxite mining in ecologically sensitive parts of Odisha’s Eastern Ghats.
- Karlapat block
- A 248-million-tonne bauxite block in Kalahandi district reportedly being leased to BALCO, a subsidiary of Vedanta Ltd.
- Other districts mentioned
- Koraput, Rayagada and Kalahandi.
- Auction notification
- The memorandum cited notifications for auctions of bauxite blocks, including Sasubohu Mali.
- Environmental risks cited
- Potential irreversible harm to forests, biodiversity and water resources.
- Communities affected
- Tribal communities whose livelihoods are linked to forests, agricultural land, water and biodiversity.
- Climate claim
- Sharata Kumar Palita claimed excessive mining had contributed to a 5–6°C rise in Koraput’s minimum temperature.
Quotes
Jayakrushna Panigrahi
Professor and member of the citizens’ delegation
“Vedanta Limited and Adani Group have secured bauxite mines. Taken together, these developments indicate an unusual acceleration of bauxite mining in the Eastern Ghats areas of Odisha, raising serious concerns about the cumulative ecological and social impacts of mining.”
telegraphindia.com
“We are not against anyone. We are only concerned about the state’s environment. Let’s not let the state turn into a desert. We believe that the state should pursue a development path that is inclusive, equitable and environmentally sustainable.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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