Other States - Orissa

CMAS supports movement to save Mali Parvat

KORAPUT: The movement to save Mali Parvat in Semiliguda block of Koraput district from mining has received an additional support from the Narayanpatna unit of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh. The sangh, after continuously targeting to get back the land to tribals from the hold of non-tribals for the last many days has added saving their mountains and water sources in the region in their list of activities.

Speaking to media persons over phone Nachika Linga, president of the unit said that all the mining activities which were taken up against the interest of tribals would be opposed.

Mining of bauxite in the mountains of Mali Parvat has been facing stiff resistance from the villagers since 2003. While the leaders who initially led the movement had preferred to leave the movement in between, the villagers most of whom are tribals from the affected 22 villages stood together and continued their protest against the mining activities.

The movement was not affected with the change of leaders as this was connected to the livelihood concerns of the common tribals of the region rather than benefiting a few people, Arjun Khilo, Secretary, Mali Parvat Surakhya Samiti said. While the State government was offering compensation against the displacement in other parts of the State, it was taking support of the gaps in the rehabilitation policies to go against the interest of the villagers. Rarely anyone in the villages would lose land for the mines as the entire mining activity would be carried out on the top layers of the mountain. But none of the villagers would be able to cultivate once the mining takes place, Damu Jaypuriya, Sarpanch of Pakjhola panchayat said.

Hence the mountains which had given them the opportunity to live a progressive life should not be withdrawn from the villagers, he added.

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