Anti-mining cry at meet, BJP defends govt policies

Koraput: A resolution demanding an immediate ban on new bauxite mining projects across Odisha, including the proposed mining at Mali Parbat in Koraput district, was unanimously adopted at the Koraput District Natural Resources Protection Conference organised on World Environment Day at Semiliguda on Friday. Participants alleged that successive governments had been indiscriminately granting mining leases to corporate entities at the cost of the livelihoods of tribal and forest-dwelling communities.

However, BJP member Goutam Samantaray defended the state govt’s mining and industrial policies. “The BJP govt is committed to ensuring both environment protection and economic development. Every mining project is being undertaken only after obtaining the necessary statutory clearances and following environment safeguards prescribed by law,” he said.

The conference was jointly organised by Koraputia Jana Suraksha Sangha and the Centre for Climatic Justice. Addressing the gathering, noted environmentalist and founder of the Centre for Climatic Justice, Prafulla Samantara said Odisha possesses nearly 60% of the country’s bauxite reserves concentrated in five districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Balangir and Bargarh.

“Mining activities in Panchpat Mali, Kodingamali and Baphlimali have already caused significant environmental degradation, affected water sources and increased pollution. The damage caused to land, forests and water resources has not been adequately addressed, nor have displaced communities received justice,” Samantara said.