Bhubaneswar: Prafulla activist Samantara and others on Friday urged the state government to stop new mine auctions in seven virgin forests including Gandhalada and Karlapat.
They demanded the conservation of virgin forests for equity and intergenerational justice.
They also advised the government to conduct an in-depth study of the impact by mining in these areas.
Samantara, President of Shakti Abhiyan, said more than 4000 hectares of green forest in Gandhalpada, Karlapat, Netrabandh Pahad, Dholta Pahad, Jumbe Pathriposhi Pahad, Chandiposhi and Puneehicultural mine would be destroyed if the state allowed mining in these areas.
This will also affect the livelihood of thousands of tribal families and forest residents, he added.
“Six of seven virgin mines have iron ore.
There is no need for iron ore ore for the industry in the state because they have a captive mine to produce steel.
This auction is to give up on resources to private companies with a cheaper level to sell on the open market For the advantage of leaving future resources.
There must be a ban on sales of iron or open markets, “Samantara said.
He said the government only got a little royalty from the sale of iron ore or bauxite instead of a large market price.
“We cannot allow the government to solve everything as natural gifts at cheaper prices without thinking about future generations,” he added.
Bissyjit Mohanty, Community Secretary of the Odisha Wildlife, said the forest of Karlapat in the East Indonesia Regency has more than 300 eternal flows and deep forests with large flora and fauna.
It has various wildlife animals such as elephants.
Thousands of forest building families including Kutia Kalid tribes depend on this forest for their livelihoods.
“The state government has encouraged the state wildlife council to reduce the wildlife sanctuary in the forest to obtain environmental permits easily.
This is undemocratic and violates the law.
We demand a ban on mining in the virgin forest,” he added.
Kiran Kumar Sahu, President of the residents of Keonjhar, said the Gandhal forest in Keonjhar Regency had more than nine lakh trees (73 percent of them were Sal trees).
“If mining is permitted in this forest, thousands of old trees will be destroyed.
To get a dense forest of 73 percent of Sal trees, we have to wait for 500 years.
This forest is also a source of livelihood for the tribe,” he added.
Minister of Mingan Prafulla Kumar Mallik told Tii that he would go through allegations, requests, and the demands of the activists thoroughly.
“I can comment on this problem after reviewing their requests and demands,” he added.