Koraput: The lone Congress MP from Odisha, Saptagiri Ulaka, has announced that he would oppose all new bauxite mining projects in undivided Koraput district, including the one proposed at Nageswari, and stated that the interests of tribal communities cannot be compromised.
The Koraput MP also alleged that the BJP government was promoting mining projects at the cost of forests and tribal livelihoods.
Leaders of various anti-mining organisations claimed that bauxite extraction could dry 10 water streams, lead to siltation of Jalaput reservoir, destroy biodiversity and adversely affect agriculture in the region. They called for a united struggle against the proposed projects.
“People would resist attempts by the corporates to undertake bauxite mining in the region. The proposed destruction of the natural resources of undivided Koraput would not be allowed,” said Ulaka, while addressing tribals from five gram panchayats at Nageswari Hill during the Dongar Suraksha Parab (festival for protection of hills) Sunday.
The gathering, organised by the Nageswari Dongar Maha Gram Sabha, saw tribal people take a pledge to protect their hills and oppose bauxite mining, even at the cost of their lives.
Prafulla Samantara, national convenor of Lok Shakti Abhiyan, called upon political parties to join a movement demanding the withdrawal of newly allotted bauxite mining leases in undivided Koraput and Kalahandi districts.
He also condemned what he described as police repression of democratic movements against mining.
Local MLA Ramachandra Kadam of the Congress extended his support to the people’s movement, saying he would continue to stand with the villagers in their opposition to the proposed mining project.
“The administration had violated constitutional provisions and the Forest Rights Act by submitting fabricated Gram Sabha proceedings to facilitate mining operations. The government is safeguarding the corporate interests at the cost of tribal communities,” said Ajay Muduli, president of Nageswari Gram Sabha.
BJP leader Goutam Samantaray said, “Development of the region and protection of tribal rights and the environment are equally important. The government will not take any decision against the interests of local people.”
Mining projects must follow all statutory provisions, including the Forest Rights Act, and the concerns of affected communities should be addressed through proper consultation, he said.
“However, people should not be misled by political allegations. Any project that meets the prescribed legal and environmental safeguards should be assessed on its merits,” Samantaray added.
