Environment Minister’s envoy arrives at Lanjigarh

The Pioneer, Jan 24, 2010
Bikash Khemka | Bhawanipatna

Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL) is now anxiously waiting for the last and final phase of clearance by the Ministry of Environment and Forests where reports to be submitted very shortly as a member of the Central team visited the Niyamgiri hill of Lanjigarh.

It was reported earlier that the Union Minister of Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh had asked the State Government to submit a report whether there was any violation of rules and regulation by the industry.

Besides Jairam had personally sent Binod Rishi, a former Additional Director of General (ADG) of Wildlife, who landed at Lanjigarh on Friday morning by helicopter to take the stock of the situation.

During Rishi's visit to Niyamgiri hill he was accompanied by deputy conservator of forest RK Biswal, Orissa Mining Corporation DGM NC Sahu, V. Nagraj Reddy and CCF Koraput V Ramarao Reddy, Head of Environment Vedanta J Soni, Vedanta CEO Pramod Suri, Mr. Bakhala Chief conservator of forest Bakhala and chief conservator of forest (Nodal) V Raja and CCF JK Tiwari.

After visiting Niyamgiri hill by road from Kadamguda Chowk to top of the hill, which is around seven km from the main road, Rishi had come back from Lanjigarh and stayed at Circuit House here.

Collector R Santhgopalan had also discussed with him. Kalahandi MP Bhakta Charan Das did not forget to appraise Rishi personally and discussed many things about the guidelines.

Meanwhile, Rishi denied commenting when reporters wanted to know from him what exactly he found during his visit. Rishi said “I would submit my report to the Centre.”