Amid Political Slugfest, Clarification On Adani Land Near Gandhamardan Hills In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: A day after Adani Group’s acquisition of agricultural land near the mineral-rich Gandhamardhan hills sparked a political row, Mahanadi Mines and Minerals Pvt Ltd on Thursday clarified that the land purchased was meant for compensatory afforestation related to its Bijahan coal mine project in Sundargarh district.

“The private lands in Balangir and Bargarh districts were acquired from willing landowners to transfer those to the Forest Department of the Odisha Government for afforestation purposes. The purpose of land acquisition is clearly mentioned in the sale deed with the landowners. Contrary to speculation, this land acquisition is not intended for any commercial purposes and will enrich the local ecology on account of compensatory afforestation.”

As per provisions of the Forest Conservation Act 1980, the user agency is required to provide an equal extent of non-forest government land for compensatory afforestation for the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.

Mahanadi Mines and Minerals was awarded Bijahan coal mine in 2022 through competitive bidding for commercial mining purposes in Sundargarh district. “The project will create significant direct and indirect employment in the region, along with increased tax revenues for district and state administrations. Mahanadi Mines and Minerals is committed to driving the growth and development of the region, inspiring positive change and a brighter future for locals and other stakeholders,” it added.

According to government land records, the company has purchased approximately 18 acres in Bharuamunda village under Khaprakhol tehsil, near the hills with an estimated 207 million tonnes of bauxite deposits.

On Wednesday, Balangir MLA Kalikesh Singh Deo said there is apprehension among people of Balangir and Bargarh about possible exploitation of Gandhamardan hills and sought clarification from the BJP government on the purpose for which land was purchased by Adani Group. Former Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Sarat Pattanayak also warned of stiff resistance to any attempt at mining the sacred hills.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K V Singhdeo had then vehemently denied these allegations. “They (BJD) have developed a bankruptcy symptom,” Dharmendra claimed, accusing the regional party of making non-issue an issue out of desperation and frustration.

Accusing the Opposition of creating confusion for political purposes, K V asked whether the government given any clearance for bauxite mining on Gandhamardan hills which is a biosphere? “Issue of plantation suitability certificate on tenancy land acquired by the company in Bharuamunda and Bartia mouzas of Khaprakhol tehasil in Balangir district by Balangir divisional forest officer on October 18 is self explanatory,” he added.

In March 2023, the hill range spanning 18,963.898 hectare over Balangir and Bargarh districts, known for rich biodiversity and medicinal plants, was declared a biodiversity heritage site. The hills have historical monuments such as the Nrusinghanath temple located on the northern slope and Harishankar temple on the southern side. It has also found a place in folklore “on how Hanuman plucked Bisalyakarani, a medicinal plant, from here to save the life of Laxman in the battle of Lanka in ‘The Ramayan’.

Three decades ago, Balco had made an abortive attempt to mine Nrusinghanath. Amid strong protest by the people of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Balangir and also from other parts of the state, including environmentalists and nature lovers, the then Congress government led by J B Patnaik had to cancel the 47-year lease to explore bauxite from the hills. Similar was the fate of Canadian Continental Resource Ltd, which was also trying to draw bauxite from Gandhamardan.