The Pioneer, Oct 19, 2009
Kalahandi MP Bhakta Charan Das appeared to suggest last week that Vedanta’s aluminium project in Kalahandi can go ahead if the mining giant agrees to spend Rs 1000 crore on assorted welfare and environmental activities in the district. This is a sliver of encouragement for the Vedanta project which is also facing strong disapproval from the British Government for its perceived threat to ecology and the tribal way of life in the project area. The actual amount the company would spend is less important than its willingness to address the concerns of the affected people. Pitch-dark business practices will not endear it to the doughty tribals; open dialogue and transparency in its dealings will. The window of opportunity opened by Das should be seized forthwith. Das realises backward Kalahandi can’t be preserved in aspic; but certain special characteristics of its tribal life and ecology must be maintained. The multi-national’s acceptance of Das’s reasonable and actionable suggestions would help it shed its wholly unjustified image as a business monster with lethal appetite for plundering profits. The new model that would emerge out of Vedanta’s engagement with the local community would serve as a beacon for others to follow. The State Government which describes itself as a promoter of industrialization with compassion should catalyse the process. Otherwise, the only big project that is taking some shape will choke off in its prime.
2 comments:
Bhakta Das can demand whatever he likes as long as his actions are published in news media.While he draws attention towards Vedanta Alumina Project ,he simply forgets to mention another grave danger slowly eating Kalahandi's future and its greenery.Another big Bauxite mining project is going on in Baflamali Forests adjacent to the Indravati Reservoir which provides irrigation to kalahandi farmers.If due to this mining activity the river sources dry up then Kalahandi will return to its pre Indravati irrigation projects era.then politicians like Bhakta Das will have ample opportunity to cry about Kalahandi's poverty.I do not believe if he has the copy of environment impact accement report of Baflamali Bauxite mining activity near Indravati reservoir.The reservoir is 45 kms long and 9 kms wide and water from three rivers such as Indravati,moran and Podagad fill the reservoir.Around 56thousand hectres of land are irrigated due to this reservoir and another 26 thousand hectres are planned to be irrigated by Lift canal system.Not even a single politician of Kalahandi has the EIA report of the disaster in the making.And Bhakta Das is full busy with Vedanta .
Could you please let us know more about big Bauxite mining project that is going on in Baflamali Forests? Which is the company mining for it? Secondly we will appreciate to have an article in our blog. Thank in advance
Best regards
Digambara
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