December 02, 2008

NGOs’ plea to shelve plan for alumina refineries

Mr R Ravi executive director of Samata, a social justice organization, said that Andhra Pradesh Government should immediately shelve 2 projects, alumina refineries proposed to be set up in Vizianagaram district by the Jindal group in Visakhapatnam district by a Gulf company and also the proposal to undertake bauxite mining in the agency area of Visakhapatnam district through the AP Mineral Development Corporation to provide bauxite to the refineries.

Several other NGOs, activists and political leaders voiced the same opinion. Earlier, a film was also screened to sensitize the audience about the ill effects of bauxite mining.

The NGOs intend to screen it in several parts of the north coastal districts to educate people and to counter the campaign by the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporate Ltd, which is planning to produce and screen a film showing the benefits of bauxite mining.

Mr Ravi, spearheading the agitation against bauxite mining, said that it would be disastrous for the north coastal districts if the projects were allowed. The water sources, rivers and rivulets originating in the Eastern Ghats, would be contaminated and the lives of tribals residing in the area would be thrown into complete disarray. He said that the state government should respect the public opinion as 98% of the people at the public hearing organised in the Vizianagaram district opposed the proposed alumina refinery by the Jindal group.

He appealed to the state government to give up the proposals and take up other projects beneficial to the public. He added that “These projects spell unmitigated disaster to the Girijans in the hills as well as the people in the plains. They should be shelved.”