The controversial bauxite mining in the scheduled areas of Visakhapatnam has come into focus again with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ruling that a fresh look be given to the validity of environmental clearance accorded to mining leases by the AP Mineral Development Corporation about a decade ago in Jerrela block near Chintapalle.
The State government has also cancelled the MoU it had signed with Anrak Aluminium Limited – a joint venture of Ras-Al-Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) and its Indian partner Penna Group for supplying bauxite ore to the refinery set up at Makavarapalem, about 100 km from here.
The NGT order assumes importance in the backdrop of an arbitration filed by RAKIA against the Union of India seeking compensation on the investment of US $44.71 million.
As per the MoU signed by the AP Government in February 2007, the APMDC had committed to supply 224 million tonne from the Jerrela block.
The NGT gave the order in response to the petition filed by Samata, an advocacy and voluntary organisation, for cancellation of the environmental public hearing held at Chintapalle in October 2008 under “curfew-like situation.”
The NGT pronounced the order, taking into consideration the facts that clearances were given long ago, the project had not commenced, and the AP Government had already cancelled the bauxite ore supply agreement with Anrak.
“It also stated that in future, the Ministry of Environment and Forests should consult the petitioners before taking any key decision in this regard. We consider it as a big victory for all those fighting against bauxite mining in the scheduled areas,” Samata executive director Rebbapragda Ravi told The Hindu on Sunday.
The NGT, in its order, said: “The prayer in the present case is for cancellation of four environmental clearances, all granted on December 12, 2008, for different blocks in Jerrela Block - 1, 2, 3, and 8 in Visakhapatnam. It is commonly conceded before us that the project for which EC was granted has not commenced till date by the respondents.”
The NGT said: “In the light of the fact that 10 years have gone by and the projects have not commenced, it will be necessary for the MoEF to reconsider it afresh if the project proponent approaches it (MoEF) and decides to start the project. In that event, the MoEF shall consider afresh the request of the project proponent holistically and examine if any other conditions are required to be imposed in the EC and whether there should be a public hearing again.”
“We are totally opposed to revival of attempts to supply bauxite reserves to the corporates. The public hearing conducted for Jerrela has lost its relevance as it should be considered valid only for a year or two. As it is, the public hearing at Chintapalle was held by not allowing tribal people to attend after massive deployment of police forces at all entry points,” CITU State president Ch. Narsinga Rao said.
