Sand Mining hazardous, says Human Rights Forum

Express News Service , The New Indian Express

SRIKAKULAM: A team of the Human Rights Forum (HRF) led by their state secretary VS Krishna on Monday said the proposal of sand mining in about 4,500 acres in Santabommali and Vajrapu Kotturu mandal by Trimex Sands Private Limited (TSPL) would be a hazardous enterprise both for fisherfolk and farmer community.

The team visited fishermen villages of Bhavanapadu, Devunaltada and villages in Synooru panchayat of Vajrapukotturu mandal where people revealed that though public hearing on TSPL’s extensive plant at Bhavanapadu is scheduled to be held on August 11, the company has not produced the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the locals and respective panchayat offices.

“Instead of producing EIA report in regional language, only 17-page of summary of it in English without mentioning the details of water requirements and other environmental affects was circulated among some sections of people violating environmental Acts, Krishna told mediapersons.

Until the locals are aware of the project details before the public hearing is conducted, district administration should postpone the hearing, Krishna said. The locals must be aware of sand mining operations in South Tamil Nadu region particularly along Tuticorin instead of TSPLs project in Gara mandal of Srikakulam district, HRF team demanded.

Meanwhile, the local people led by sarpanches have geared up to conduct panchayat level meets to decide whether they should allow the project or not in their region from August 7 to 10.


(2011-8-2/IBNLive)