TNI Bureau: The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has urged the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to reject the recommendation for environmental clearance granted by an expert panel for the proposed Sijimali Bauxite Mine project in Odisha’s Rayagada and Kalahandi districts.

In a statement issued, NAPM leaders Prafulla Samantara and Narendra Mohanty alleged that the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), which recommended environmental clearance for the project on May 15, ignored the concerns and objections raised by the affected local communities.

According to the activists, mining activities at Sijimali would threaten the Panichida-Shuagad river system and more than 100 perennial streams, including Ranijhola, Jamu and Gurungijhola. They claimed that damage to these water sources would adversely affect millet cultivation and other agricultural activities, leading to a severe livelihood crisis for tribal and Dalit communities in the region.

The activists also expressed concern that mining operations could impact the Tiji Raja worship site, which they said holds religious significance for local communities. They further alleged that forest land transfer and land acquisition processes were being carried out on the basis of irregular gram sabhas.

Criticising the EAC’s recommendation, Samantara said the decision favoured Vedanta Limited while overlooking the ecological importance of the area and the rights and livelihoods of local residents. He claimed that tribal and Dalit communities have been protesting against the project for several months and alleged that some protesters have faced police action. According to NAPM, 12 villagers associated with the movement have been in jail for the past three months.

The organisation has demanded that the Union Environment Ministry reject the clearance recommendation and that the Odisha Government cancel the mining lease. NAPM warned that the ongoing public movement against the project would intensify if its demands are not addressed.