Mines

Tribals Protest Against Mining At Khandualmali Hill In Odisha’s Kalahandi

By
Bikash Khemka

Bhawanipatna: Thousands of tribal people chose to mark World Tribal Day on Monday by protesting against the proposed mining project at Khandualmali hill in Odisha’s Kalahandi district.

The tribals, who came together under the banner of Khandualmali Surakhya Samiti, formed a human chain in Kalahandi’s Karlapat region and sang songs to demand that the hill be saved from mining.

The tribals consider Khandualmali hill, located in the heart of Karlapat forest, to be the abode of Kondh Goddess, Khandual. The hill is surrounded by Karlapat wildlife sanctuary.

The tribals, holding placards and banners, took out a rally from Saisurni to Karlapat village and raised slogans claiming that the hill belongs to them and nobody else should try to enter the region.

One of the protesters, a woman holding her baby, held a placard which stated that without gram sabhas, stop leasing the mines.

B Kumar, president of Khandualmali Surakhya Samiti, said that the hill is being protected by tribals since 1988 as it’s their home and provides livelihood.

“But now private companies are trying to mine the hill. The Khandualmali hill’s flora and fauna along with tribals’ livelihood will be destroyed if mining is allowed,” he complained.

Lingaraj Azad, convenor of Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti, opined that the government should hold gram sabhas in the region if it wants to mine the hill.

“The apex court’s decision to hold gram sabhas in Niyamgiri hill located in Kalahndi’s Lanjigarh block protected thousands of tribals lives. We want gram sabhas here also, on the issue of mining in Khandualmali hill,” he stated.

Environmentalist Prafulla Samantra said the government is not implementing the PESA Act here, and that around 300 rivers flowing through Karlapat region, 10 lakh trees along with elephant corridor will be destroyed if mining takes place.

“We want the government to withdraw its decision to mine here,” Samantra said. He added that the agitation will be intensified if the mining proposal is not withdrawn.

Uma Dei, a 65-year-old tribal resident of Karlapat, vowed not to allow mining in the hill.

“I have been living here since birth and earn my livelihood here. The government should have thought of my bread before leasing the hills for mining. I will die here but not allow the hill for mining at any cost.”

Bikash Khemka

Recent Posts

Another Stone Falls From Jagannath Temple At Khallikote In Odisha’s Ganjam

Berhampur: A stone weighing 2 kg fell from the ‘Singhadwara Gumuta’ of the Lord Jagannath…

November 14, 2024

Sunita Williams Dismisses Rumours About Weight Loss, Explains Her ‘Sunken Cheeks’

New Delhi: Recent pictures of Space Station Commander Sunita Williams from the International Space Station…

November 14, 2024

Payal Rohatgi Calls Out Rupali Ganguly For Dating A Married Man

Mumbai: Actress Rupali Ganguly recently filed a Rs 50 crore defamation case against her stepdaughter…

November 14, 2024

National Hockey: Odisha To Clash With Manipur In Semifinals

Chennai: Odisha will face Manipur in the semifinals of the 14th Hockey India Senior Men’s…

November 14, 2024

India To Push Canada For Extradition Of Arrested Khalistani Terrorist Arsh Dalla

New Delhi: India will again ask Canada for the extradition of designated Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh…

November 14, 2024

School Dropout From West Bengal Arrested For Practising As Ayurvedic Doctor In Odisha’s Berhampur

Berhampur: Police have arrested a man from West Bengal for allegedly claiming himself to be…

November 14, 2024

Manoj Bajpayee Recalls Staying In ‘Hell’, Experiencing Starvation

Mumbai: Carving a niche for himself in Bollywood was not a cakewalk for ‘The Family…

November 14, 2024

After Disapproving Of Ranveer, Mukesh Khanna Rejects Tiger Shroff For ‘Shakitmaan’

Mumbai: Mukesh Khanna’s Indian superhero series ‘Shaktimaan’ has been making headlines for quite some time…

November 14, 2024