The environment ministry’s decision to reject forest clearance for the Vedanta project in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts is a step in the right direction. By doing this, the government has sent out a strong message that only the law-abiding and environment-conscious companies will be allowed to go ahead with their projects.
The government’s move will in no way affect industrial activity in the country. Instead, it is a step towards balancing the country’s growth with people’s safety.
Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh deserves praise for his bold and careful act in the Vedanta-sponsored mining and refinery projects. The N C Saxena Committee has brought to the fore the serious violation of the Environment Protection Act, the Forest Conservation Act and the Forest Rights Act by Vedanta. In this context, Mr Ramesh’s move is far-sighted and unambiguous.
In fact, Vedanta’s proposed mining project would have been hazardous for both the tribal community and biodiversity in the region. With the Union government’s timely intervention, some major industrial threats posed by the bauxite project have been prevented.
P Senthil Saravana Durai, Hyderabad
