Maharashtra, India: Nanar community unites to oppose bauxite mining

For years, the residents of Nanar in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district in India have stood united against the environmental threat posed by a proposed oil refinery project. Now, they are gearing up for another significant fight against bauxite mining. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has announced a public hearing on August 29, 2024, to discuss the environmental implications of the proposed Nanar Bauxite Block, spanning 362 acres.

The state administration's recent letter to the Nanar village council (gram panchayat) announcing the public hearing has shocked the villagers. The MPCB has also issued a public notice about the hearing, which the district collector will oversee. Residents are invited to register their suggestions and objections regarding the environmental issues tied to the mining project.

According to the MPCB's draft report on the environmental impact assessment, the project proponents pledge to implement measures to mitigate mining's impact on air, water, noise, and soil. The proposed mechanized open-cast mining will exclude drilling and blasting.

The report states, "The impact of change on land use will be positive only, as a portion of the abandoned pit will be partly backfilled and afforested. The remaining area will be transformed into a water reservoir, benefiting local villagers through irrigation and groundwater recharge."

Additionally, developing a green belt along the boundary of the mineral block area is expected to enhance the environment compared to pre-mining conditions.

Despite these assurances, the announcement has sparked unrest among the villagers of Nanar, who plan to resume their protests to oppose the project and cancel the public hearing.

As the public hearing date approaches, the villagers of Nanar are poised to defend their land and environment again, underscoring the community's resilience and commitment to preserving their natural resources.