Tribals oppose mining in Orissa's Mali hills

Tribals of Koraput's Mali hills of Orissa have threatened to launch an agitation from August 9 if the government does not stop mining activities in their area. Taking up cudgels under the Mali Parbat Surakhya Samiti (MPSS), tribals alleged that 44 villages in Sorispodar, Hudi, Dalaiguda and Pakjhola panchayats under Semiliguda block will be badly affected by the mining. "The place has 23 water sources, which will dry up because of the mining. People in these villages will lose their home and means of livelihood," said president of MPSS Damburudhar Khillo.

"Though mining had been stopped for the past few months, the company has resumed it. We demand government cancels the lease of Mali hills to the company. Or else, a mass agitation will be launched," he added.

Sources said after obtaining mining rights from the state government, Hindalco, started mining in a portion of the hills in 2005. But stopped mining after stiff resistance from tribals in 2010. Tension erupted when the company started its activities by transporting its mined bauxite recently. "We will oppose any kind of activity by the company at the Mali hills," Khillo said.

The samiti has submitted a memorandum to the administration recently. Contacted, officials at the district mining office said mining has not resumed at Mali hills. "Mining has not been resumed at Mali hills. The company had stocked around 18,000 MT of bauxite at Tentuliguda, which it had mined at around three years ago, and it was shifting it to its Dumuriput depot," said mining officer (Koraput) S P Nanda.