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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Tapi tribals launch stir to protest illegal mining -Melvyn Reggie Thomas

Tapi tribals launch stir to protest illegal mining -Melvyn Reggie Thomas

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published Published on Apr 26, 2013   modified Modified on Apr 26, 2013
-The Times of India


SURAT: Tribals of five villages in Tapi district's Valod taluka are on a fast-unto-death at Kosambia village on the bank of Purna river since April 17. They are demanding a check on illegal mining of stones from the banks of Valmik and Ambika rivers and illegal operation of stone quarrying at Kosambia village and strict implementation of The Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act.

The agitators said politicians were not bothered and the administration was turning a blind eye to the problem. Life of over 15,000 tribals in Kosambia, Mordevi, Kumbhia, Bahej and Dodakia villages have become miserable due to illegal mining and stone quarry operations.

Lalsinh Gamit, member of Adavasi Ekta Parishad (AEP), and a resident of Kosambia said, "For the past so many years, we are living in a hell-like situation. There are terrible sounds of blasts day and night which shake and damage our houses and leave our cattle frightened. Our children do not venture out, farms are littered with pebbles and the water level in the ground has depleted."

Namika Shailesh Chaudhary, sarpanch of Mordevi, told TOI, "Despite of our repeated complaints, the district administration is not taking any measures to protect the lives of 15,000 tribals in these five villages. Thus, we are on a fast-unto-death agitation against illegal mining of stone and quarrying in our area."

As per PESA Act, any mining activity in the scheduled area can be undertaken after taking into confidence the gram sabha of the respective village.

"The mining activity in the tribal villages is violation of PESA. The stone quarry operations are on leased out land owned by the tribals and the lease-holders then progress to take up illegal mining activities. This is against the prescribed law of environment," said Satyakam Joshi, associate professor, Centre for Social Studies, who is doing research in the tribal areas of south Gujarat.

A team from Tapi district administration visited the affected villages on Monday. The condition of all the protestors, including women, was good despite they being on fast for the past one week, sources said.

TK Damor, deputy collector of Tapi, told TOI, "We have asked the geological department to submit a report. We will take action after getting the report."


The Times of India, 24 April, 2013, http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-24/surat/38789781_1_illegal-mining-mining-activity-pesa-act


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