The Pioneer, April 27, 2009
PNS | Bhawanipatna/Lanjigarh
At a public hearing on environmental clearance for expansion of the Lanjigarh-based Vedanta Alumina Refinery, organised by the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) on Saturday, some of the nearby villagers of the project area while strongly supported expansion of the refinery from 1 MTPA to 6 MTPA, some others complained their plight due to pollution and other developmental activities. The argument between these two groups could not be compromised.
A group of residents from Belamba, Sindhbahal, Rengopalli, Bandhaguda and Kapaguda villages complained that they are suffering from asthma due to pollution. The number of admission of patients at Lanjigarh hospital is more this year as compared to the year 2002. The rules say that there should not be any human habitat within 7 km radius of the company for the safety of their health, they cited.
These protesters brought to the notice of the Government authorities that due to extraction of bauxite, 36 rivers including Bansadhara and Nagabali flowing from the Niyamgiri hill are going to be dried. Besides, the flora, fauna and the movements of birds, elephants and squirrels in the dense forest are being affected since the establishment of the industry. They appealed the authorities not to sell their lands as their forefathers have been staying on it.
Notably, opposing the construction of roads from Jaganathpur village up to the bottom of the hill, some days before, the tribals of the area under the banner of the Green Kalahandi had torched the company’s four wheeler which had gone with its officials to the hill top.
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