Koraput (Pratiphalan Media)
A massive protest erupted in Balda village as thousands of tribals opposed the public hearing conducted by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board for the proposed bauxite mining project by Kalinga Alumina Limited. The hearing was held to assess environmental clearance for mining 4.0 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of bauxite over 144.945 hectares. However, local tribal associations strongly opposed the project, citing threats to land, water, forests, livelihood, and biodiversity.
“We have been, are, and will continue to protest against any attempt to mine from the Nageswari hills,” stated tribal leaders. They alleged that the administration attempted to falsely claim consent for the environmental public hearing despite widespread opposition. The Koraputia Jan Suraka Samiti, a key protest group, submitted a memorandum to the district administration demanding the cancellation of the hearing.
At a press conference in Nishani Munda, Koraput, tribal leaders alleged that the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report submitted by the district administration and Kalinga Alumina Limited was fabricated. They also accused the authorities of following outdated 2006 EIA notification guidelines to push the project forward.
District Administration claims the Public Hearing to have been successfully conducted following right procedures .
Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Alomani Sethi, who presided over the hearing, maintained that the process was conducted as per legal provisions. However, the Nageswari Forest Protection Committee strongly opposed the hearing, with support from various tribal organizations, including Koraput Jan Suraka Sangh, Mali Hilly Suraka Samithi, and Hal Biswas Sangh.
The Nageswari hill and caves in Balda have been recognized as an ecotourism site with rich biodiversity and natural caves. Thousands of local people from five panchayats depend on the surrounding land for cultivation and livelihood. Protesters claim that both the previous and current governments have attempted to initiate bauxite mining despite sustained resistance from Maa Nageswari Jangal Suraka Samiti and Koraputia Jan Surakhya Sangh.
“If any false report is submitted in favor of the company, we will seek legal recourse,” warned tribal leaders Uguli Nandibali, Vijay Kumar, Babita Dora, Laxmi Sisha, and Ajay Mandangi. The protests are expected to continue as tribal organizations remain firm in their demand to protect Nageswari hill from mining activities.