The Hindu Business Line : Stir against bauxite mining gathers force in Vizag

Visakhapatnam, June 28 The agitation against the Andhra Pradesh Government’s decision to undertake bauxite mining in the agency (tribal) tracts of Visakhapatnam district through the AP Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) and to provide the raw material to refineries set up by the Jindal group and RAK is gathering momentum with the support of all the political parties, except the Congress, and several NGOs such as Samata and the Human Rights Forum.

At a convention organised by the Telugu Desam in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, leaders of all political parties except the Congress and the NGOs declared their resolve to fight the Government’s move, in view of “the adverse impact it is likely to have on the livelihood and lifestyle of the Girijans besides causing incalculable damage to the environment, especially water pollution in the eastern ghats.”

Mr R. Ravi, the Executive Director of Samata, explained at length the damage that bauxite mining was likely to cause to the fragile eco-system in the eastern ghats. He took exception to the manner in which the State Government was going ahead with the allotment of more than 1,000 acres to the Jindals for setting up the refinery in Vizianagaram district, even though 96 per cent of the people had voted against the proposal at a public hearing earlier this month.

Damage to water sources

He said bauxite mining would inevitably lead to the drying up of water sources in the eastern ghats, and several rivers and rivulets such as Gostahni, Sarada, Thandava and Sileru would be affected. The city of Visakhapatnam would suffer for want of drinking water and agriculture in the plains would also be hit badly.

“It is not merely the question of the livelihood of tribals being affected. Four or five north-coastal districts would be hit if mining is undertaken. Therefore, we appeal to the Government to give up the ill-advised move,” he said.

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