The Odisha government is helping Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL) in a tacit manner to mine the Dangadeula hills in the Koraput district for bauxite, sidelining the requirement for proper permission from the Environment Ministry, alleged Prafulla Samantara, environmental activist and convenor of Lokshakti Abhiyan.
After visiting the area and interacting with the tribals of the region, Mr Samantara urged the people of Koraput district to oppose any kind of mining in the Dangadeula hills on the banks of the Kolab reservoir. The proposed mining area is too close to the Koraput town. Speaking to The Hindu , Mr Samantara said, “The VAL has been provided prospective license for laterite stone mining in this area, but circumstantial evidences hint that the real purpose is exploitation of bauxite ore deposits in the area.”
As per the information gathered from the State mining department by the Lokshakti Abhiyan, there is ample possibility of the existence of bauxite deposits in the Dangadeula hills.
In 2006, two companies had applied for a mining lease in this area, which was not considered by the government. Although the State mining department had not provided any reason for the cancellation of the mining lease application of these two companies, in 2013 the application of VAL in the same area was accepted. There is a tricky clause attached to the permission to VAL, which says if bauxite is found in the area, the government would be informed, said Mr Samantara.
“It seems by providing a prospective license to VAL for laterite stone mining in Dangadeuli hill area, the State government is trying to help VAL. Due to this prospective license for laterite stone mining, VAL would not have to approach the environment ministry to seek permission for mining in the area, although its real aim is to search for bauxite,” said Mr Samantara. According to him, the VAL’s effort for bauxite mining in the area would destroy the environment of Kolab reservoir through air and water pollution.
The environment in the Koraput and Jeypore towns would be affected and thelivelihood of tribals living in the area would be drastically influenced by mining in the area, said activists of the Lokshakti Abhiyan.
The organisation demanded conservation of bauxite reserves in Koraput and Rayagada districts for future use by public sector companies like NALCO rather than letting it to be misused by private companies.
