Keonjhar: A large area of forest has been cleared to make space for mining of iron ore and manganese at Khandabandh under Joda block in Keonjhar district, according to a report.
What it means is forest land has been converted for non-forest use. But that has been done without any public hearing or gram sabha. Alleging gross violation of laws, Zilla Parishad member of zone-27, Basudev Nayak, has sought an inquiry into the alleged illegality.
Local tribals expressed grave concern over felling of trees as their livelihood hinges on forest cover. It is learnt that 383.607 hectares of forest land will be used for non-forest use. Thousands of tribals living around it will be affected.
As per the Forest Rights Act 2006, any kind of activities on forest land mandates the administration to hold a gram sabha hearing and get its approval.
Cutting down valuable trees is ecologically disastrous, locals said, adding the mindless act has endangered wildlife and rare reptiles in the area.
ZP member Nayak said if such an illegal thing is happening for mining, it would be a serious violation of the FRA 2006. He gave his complaint to ADM Bhakat Charan Pradhan seeking a thorough probe into the allegation.
Thousands of people from five panchayats including Jalhari, Balda and Jurudi are dependent on the forest and the hill in the area. They have strongly opposed the proposed mining.
Locals alleged that the same mining firm had entered into an agreement with the locals July 7, 2011 in the presence of some administrative officials and had promised a lot for developing basic facilities, but it has not fulfilled the promises as yet.
PNN