Rayagada: The Odisha government’s move to grant a lease for bauxite mining from Sijimali and Kutumali hills in Rayagada district has met with stiff opposition from locals. The matter came to the fore after residents of 30 villages recently participated in a meeting at Sarambai village under Kashipur block in this district and voiced their opposition to the mining of bauxite.
The villagers alleged that the Odisha government has illegally granted a lease for mining of bauxite on the hills without conducting gram sabhas. They vowed to fight against the government’s decision during the meeting held recently. The government’s decision is pushing them into darkness as they stare at a bleak future ahead, the villagers said. ‘Lokshakti Abhiyan’ president Prafulla Samantara addressing media persons Sunday alleged that the Sijimali and Kutumali hills, when excavated for bauxite, will result in the extinction of over 30 perennial streams.
Mining will also dry up perennial rivers like Nagabali and Jhanjabati that flow through the area. He demanded the Odisha government reconsider its decision. He also threatened that the government will face protests over its decision if the order is not recoked. The villagers alleged that the Odisha government has auctioned the hills on the pretext of increasing revenue collection in violation of mining and mineral rules. The illegal lease is also violating the Forest Rights Act, they added.
“The decision to allow mining of bauxite will affect the people living on the periphery of the hills. They will be displaced and rendered jobless,” the local villagers said. The villagers asked why companies are only interested in the extraction of minerals and not ready to invest in industries in the area.