Post News Network
Jajpur, Dec 22: Rapid expansion of mines, especially chromite mines, has led to the destruction of green cover in Sukinda area of this district, a report said.
The miners while acquiring forest lands for extraction of chromite have failed to plant saplings to check pollution. This has resulted in depletion of forest cover and a rise in pollution level in the area.
The major defaulter is state-owned Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) which has over 21 small and large mines in Sukinda. Out of the total 5,000 acre of forest land acquired for mining, the company has acquired over 4,061 acre by changing the status of the land through conversion.
However, it has not planted trees in equal proportions on the acquired land which has led to an erratic climatic condition in the area.
There are several other companies that are earning crores by exploiting forest and water resources of the district but have cared little for protection of the environment. This has also affected social life as residents are the worst sufferers of the problems arising out of atmospheric pollution. The situation has triggered resentment among residents which is slowly snowballing into a major agitation.
Sources said Sukinda mining region has over 173 million tonne deposits of chromite which has high demand in and outside the country. While Bhimtangar has 98 million tonne of chromite reserves, Kamarda has two million tonne, Saruabil has 9 million tonne, Sukringi has 7.50 million tonne, Kaliapani has 25 million tonne, Kalrangi has 0.50 million tonne, Chingudipal has 13 million tonne and Sukinda has 18 million tonne of the mineral. Over 300 lakh tonne of chromite has been mined in Sukinda valley in the last 15 years while mining activities commenced in the area in 1946.
There are no records available to point out the quantity of chromite excavated from the region before last 15 years. While mining companies are busy making money they have closed their eyes to the many basic problems confronting their peripheral areas. The administration is equally apathetic to the people’s problems, locals said.
OMC manager Abanikant Pradhn said the forest department has been paid for the acquired land and therefore it is the duty of the department to plant the saplings. PNN
