Bauxite mining will spell disaster: MLA

Bauxite mining will spell disaster: MLA

THE HIN, Staff Reporter

3rd July 2005

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Paderu MLA, Lake Raja Rao, on Sunday said bauxite mining in the agency area and establishment of an alumina factory by Jindal in the district, with an investment of Rs. 9,000 crores, would cause environmental disaster and displacement of tribals.

Reacting to the decision to give mining lease to the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC), he said they would oppose lock, stock and barrel if mining was undertaken without addressing to the livelihood problems of the tribals.

"Any mining will lead to destruction of forests. As everyone knows, tribals eke out a living, even without education by collecting addakku, karakaya and other minor forest produce," he pointed out.

Let the Government spell out what jobs it would provide to the local people, he said adding that such a mega project by the Jindal Group would cause massive displacement of indigenous people in the agency belt of Visakhapatnam district.

The bauxite mining project would change the shape of the agency area due to disturbance in the hill streams, which supply water to the plain areas.

He said the Tribal Advisory Committee had adopted a resolution recently that lands owned by Chenchus in Srisailam forest area should not be transferred to anyone. The authorities should also ensure that patta lands are not transferred from one tribal to other in the entire State to protect their interest, he added.