vedanta no, sterlite yes

vedanta no, sterlite yes
The apex court allows bauxite mining with conditions

“Sustainable development cannot deny the future generations its dues.” A special bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, said this while declining mining nod to Vedanta Alumina in Orissa. The court also showed concern about the possible degradation of environment. Global mining and metals major Vedanta had asked for permission to start bauxite mining in the forest area of Niyamgiri hills region of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of the state for its Rs 4,000 crore alumina refinery at Lanjigarh. The apex court was hearing the case after local environment groups like Green Kalahandi and Niyamgiri Surakshya Samiti and Orissa Wildlife Society challenged the plan, arguing it would displace tribal people and destroy flora and fauna of the region.“We are not inclined to approve of the project in its present form,” opined the bench, which comprises Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice S.H. Kapadia. It cited Vedanta’s antecedents, of having been blacklisted by Norway for violation of labour laws there, as one of the key reasons for denying permission for mining. But the court left a door open for its associate Sterlite Industries to extract the mineral in collaboration with state agencies. The bench gave liberty to Sterlite Industries India Ltd, the flagship company of Vedanta Resources, to move the court within eight weeks if it was ready to go ahead with the project subject to compliance with certain modalities. The Orissa government in collaboration with Orissa Mining Corporation and Sterlite will have to set up a special purpose vehicle to develop the scheduled area.‘’We are happy that the Supreme Court has appreciated the concerns raised by us after a long drawn battle. Now the endangered wildlife and Dongoria Kandhas (tribals) can heave a sigh of relief,” said environmental activists expressing happiness over the apex court’s decision. Bhakta Charan Das of Green Kalahandi movement opined, "This is a victory of the environment, mankind and of the people of Kalahandi." Reacting to this Vice-President of Vedanta Alumina, A.K. Samal, while talking to TSI said, "We do not see the Supreme Court’s judgment as a setback as Sterlite is a Vedanta company. We are awaiting a copy of the judgment then we shall take steps immediately as per the court's direction." Environmental activists should not be excited with this development as the battle for a mining free Niyamgiri does not end here. ‘Vedanta Hatao’ slogans may soon be replaced by ‘Sterlite Hatao’.

-Dhrutikam Mohanty

Garden of god

ORISSA : NANDANKANAN

Garden of god

Animal deaths in Zoological Park alarmingly frequent

If you are planning to visit Nandankanan, one of the finest zoos of its kind in the country, then beware of the snatchers. Jumping from tree to tree, eyeing the food packets people carry, the cageless monkeys of Nandan Kanan take just the blink of an eye to make anything in your hand disappear. These street monkeys, who don't have the privilege of being treated by doctors or being looked after by caretakers, are perhaps the only animals in the zoo that are in good health. Nandankanan, home to 384 animals and birds (figures by Orissa government in State legislature), has been in the news for the continuous deaths of its inhabitants. On October 31, an eight-year old tigress, Jyoti, died suddenly. It was later found that she was infected with a viral disease, ‘Feline palrilevk opni’. This is only a few days after a deer belonging to a rare species succumbed to cancer, on October 22. In the last six months of 2006, around 27 animals and birds died in Nandankanan. In 2007, 20-30 deaths have been reported. This has now become a matter of concern for animal lovers and activists in the state. Ghasiram Panda, an activist, reacts, ‘Here, animals are used only to make money. Nandankanan authorities don't provide proper treatment and suitable enquiry is not made to determine the causes of the deaths.’ Deputy Director of Nandankanan Directorate, A.C. Dinakar refused to comment. Nandankanan, a Zoological park amidst natural forests along the banks of Kanjia Lake, is situated near the capital city of Bhubaneswar. It is a major attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists, with upto 5000 visitors each day. But with frequent deaths of the animals, having empty cages or only one or two animals per cage is becoming the norm here. Dr. P.K. Ray, a physician in Nandankanan clarifies, ‘Negligence on our part cannot be the only reason. Though the zoo lacks sufficient manpower, we are running vaccination programmes to prevent infectious disease among animals.’ Nandankanan, which literally means the garden of God, will soon turn into a graveyard of animals if the death rate is not kept in check.

Dhrutikam Mohanty