Green Kalahandi threatens stir over SC order on Niyamgiri mining

Bhubaneswar, Aug 8 (UNI) ''Green Kalahandi'' a social organisation, spearheading movement to save Niyamgiri hills in Kalahandi, today threatened to stop bauxite mining in the hill.

Former Union Minister and Chairman Green Kalahandi Bhakta Charan Das announced that they would continue their agitation democratically to protest the mining in Niyamgiri and protect the ecology of the area.

Mr Das made the statement in the wake of today's Supreme Court judgement allowing the Sterlite industries to mine in the Niayam Giri hills.

The former Minister described the apex court judgment as ''unfortunate and a defeat of nature and humanity''.

The Apex court while granting permission for bauxite mining observed that the Sterlite Industries should follow the guidelines of the Orissa government to protect and look after the environment as well as the interest of the tribals in the area.

The court also directed that a Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV) comprising representatives of Orissa government and Sterlite Industries would monitor and supervise the mining operations in the hills.

Mr Das said the judgment had deprived the natural justice to the innocent tribal of the area as it was delivered without allowing the tribals to be a party to the case.

It had also not taken into consideration the possible threat posed to the tribal livlihood, tradition and culture.

He feared that the mining of Niyamgiri hill would seriously affect the bio-diversity, wildlife, 36 streams, two rivers flowing in the area and destroy the fragile ecology besides affecting the livelihood of the Dangaria and Jharania Kandhas, the primitive tribes of the area.

UNI BD-DP SJC RN2046