Das alleges corruption in forest clearance to Vedanta in Orissa

New Delhi, Nov 1 (UNI) Former Union Minister and Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das today met Union Minister of Environment and Forests A Raja and expressed his anguish over the forest clearance given to Vedanta Alumina Company to excavate bauxite from the Niyamgiri mountains in Lanjigarh of Kalahandi district of Orissa.

''I have come to know that the Forest Advisory Committee has apparently given forest clearance for mining of Niyamgiri hill tract. It is extremely disturbing,'' said Mr Das, a former Lok Sabha member from Kalahandi.

''We are aware that the Britain-based Vedanta Company has been trying to 'facilitate' its access to Niayamgiri bauxite deposits through influencing various authorities and regulatory agencies, and I, wonder if this clearance has been a result of this 'facilitation','' said the representation to the Minister.

''If so, this is highly irregular and goes against the interest of the people of Kalahandi, who will fight out this proposed despoliation of their cultural and environmental heritage till the bitter end,'' said Mr Das.

The Supreme Court was also seized of the matter and had directed the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to conduct a survey on the biodiversity and environment of the region.

The WII under the Ministry of Environment and Forests(MEF) had submitted a report before the apex court saying, ''Niyamgiri and its adjoining areas are excellent remnant forests and wildlife habitat much better than that of the existing Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary.'' The same WII has modified its ''original report'' and submitted a report recently giving clearance to the hill tract for mining operations, said the representation.

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had also given a detailed report saying that ''mining in Niyamgiri should not be taken up'' as it would disturb the unique biodiversity which has many perennial water sources, rare flora and fauna.

''It also pointed out that improper haste was shown by the MEF to clear the project by the Vedanta,'' said Mr Das.

Vedanta Alumina Company, floated by NRI industrialist Anil Agrawal, has been setting up a Rs 3500 crore alumina plant at Langigarh in Kalahandi.

UNI PAT VD DS1703