In the midst of the ensuing debate over development vis-à-vis environment protection that runs from Niyamgiri to New Delhi, the recent statement of the Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee is of utmost importance: ‘ The answer does not lie in stopping mining activities, rather in providing adequate compensation to the displaced and ensuring that they become beneficiaries of economic development.’
Such a statement from an astute statesman and coming within a month of the Environment ministry’s rejection of earlier clearance to Vedanta’s Bauxite Mining Project and halting land acquisition process for Posco’s Steel Project in Orissa, is indicative of the Centre’s shift from its earlier stand in the matter.
The definition of development rests on a balance approach to both environment & development. The 50 year old Rourkela Steel Plant, the pride of Orissa, is a case in point. Since then many industrial projects have been shelved as a result of the never ending debate between environment & development. While both the Posco & Vedanta projects have been ensnared in this battle, the Mittal project is yet to take off. This is a huge set back in the economic growth of the state.
On the other hand, the allegations of the Saxena Committee report appear to have loopholes. The Central Mining Planning & Designing Institute has opined that reforestation after the bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills will result in creating a green belt as in the case of Nalco.
The committee also claims that denying the rights of the tribal people will encourage Maoism. The question is, in the name of environment should the Adivasis be deprived of development and be allowed to continue making a living from forests. The environment does not belong to Adivasis alone, but to humanity.
Keeping this in mind and rising above petty ideological differences, planning should ensure progress and equitable development of the country as a whole.
Such a statement from an astute statesman and coming within a month of the Environment ministry’s rejection of earlier clearance to Vedanta’s Bauxite Mining Project and halting land acquisition process for Posco’s Steel Project in Orissa, is indicative of the Centre’s shift from its earlier stand in the matter.
The definition of development rests on a balance approach to both environment & development. The 50 year old Rourkela Steel Plant, the pride of Orissa, is a case in point. Since then many industrial projects have been shelved as a result of the never ending debate between environment & development. While both the Posco & Vedanta projects have been ensnared in this battle, the Mittal project is yet to take off. This is a huge set back in the economic growth of the state.
On the other hand, the allegations of the Saxena Committee report appear to have loopholes. The Central Mining Planning & Designing Institute has opined that reforestation after the bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills will result in creating a green belt as in the case of Nalco.
The committee also claims that denying the rights of the tribal people will encourage Maoism. The question is, in the name of environment should the Adivasis be deprived of development and be allowed to continue making a living from forests. The environment does not belong to Adivasis alone, but to humanity.
Keeping this in mind and rising above petty ideological differences, planning should ensure progress and equitable development of the country as a whole.
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