Mazhar Ali , TNN 29 July 2009, 01:10am ISTPrint Email Bookmark/Share Save Comment Text Size: |
CHANDRAPUR: It appears that Chandrapur citizens have finally realized what loss they will sustain if the mine of Adani Power Limited (APL) is allowed in the core forest area of Lohara near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). Their strong opposition to the proposed mine was reflected in the total response to a strike call given by conservationists, social organizations and political parties collectively on Tuesday.
The movement to oppose the proposed mine that was underway since one year gained fresh momentum after conservationist Bandu Dhotre began a fast unto death from July 20 before the district collectorate. As the agitation progressed, people in every section of the society understood the importance of preserving Lohara jungle and soon, support began pouring in to the satyagraha started by Dhotre. As his hunger strike entered the 9th day on Tuesday, bandh was called upon unanimously by supporters of Dhotre.
Three major political parties including Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena backed it. The bandh call evoked 100% response and traders in Chandrapur did not open their shops in the main market in the morning. Education institutions too declared holiday and students reaching the schools and colleges were turned back. Even petrol pumps and cinemas were kept closed. However, emergency services such as hospitals and medical shops remained open. No effect of the bandh call was seen on the attendance in government offices and banks.
Several groups of Congress and Shiv Sena supporters, along with those of conservationist organizations, were seen parading along the streets, closing the few shops and institutions that defied the bandh call. Streets and markets wore a deserted look in the afternoon following the bandh call.
Former Congress MP Naresh Pugalia, who was first among the political leaders to declare full support to Dhotre's agitation said, "I have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to revoke the permission to all coal blocks allocated around TATR, including Lohara coal block given to APL. The allocation in the core forest area threatening the existence of the tiger is in stark contrast with the policy of union ministry of environment and forests. While I have detailed the disastrous consequences of mining in the forest around Tadoba to PM and other concerned authorities, I will personally take up the issue with them when I reach Delhi."
In light of the fact that Lohara forest acts as a tiger corridor and allowing mining in this rich wildlife habitat will disrupt ecological balance to a disastrous extent, Pugalia has demanded for CBI probe about how APL managed to get coal block allocated in core jungle area. He is likely to fly to Delhi on Wednesday to take up the matter with the authorities concerned.
Meanwhile, support continues to pour in for Bandu Dhotre. On Tuesday, office bearers of Chandrapur Bar Association met Dhotre and declared their full support against the proposed APL mine in Lohara.
"Now, traders, industrialists, doctors, lawyers, politicians, conservationists, ex-forest employees and, most importantly, the common man, stands with me in the fight against APL. The district collector repeatedly tried to pursuade me to give up the fast, claiming that the matter is concerned with union government and there is nothing left to be done at the district level. However, I will not budge till the union coal ministry cancels the allocation of the coal blocks," said Dhtore.
CHANDRAPUR: It appears that Chandrapur citizens have finally realized what loss they will sustain if the mine of Adani Power Limited (APL) is allowed in the core forest area of Lohara near Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). Their strong opposition to the proposed mine was reflected in the total response to a strike call given by conservationists, social organizations and political parties collectively on Tuesday.
The movement to oppose the proposed mine that was underway since one year gained fresh momentum after conservationist Bandu Dhotre began a fast unto death from July 20 before the district collectorate. As the agitation progressed, people in every section of the society understood the importance of preserving Lohara jungle and soon, support began pouring in to the satyagraha started by Dhotre. As his hunger strike entered the 9th day on Tuesday, bandh was called upon unanimously by supporters of Dhotre.
Three major political parties including Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena backed it. The bandh call evoked 100% response and traders in Chandrapur did not open their shops in the main market in the morning. Education institutions too declared holiday and students reaching the schools and colleges were turned back. Even petrol pumps and cinemas were kept closed. However, emergency services such as hospitals and medical shops remained open. No effect of the bandh call was seen on the attendance in government offices and banks.
Several groups of Congress and Shiv Sena supporters, along with those of conservationist organizations, were seen parading along the streets, closing the few shops and institutions that defied the bandh call. Streets and markets wore a deserted look in the afternoon following the bandh call.
Former Congress MP Naresh Pugalia, who was first among the political leaders to declare full support to Dhotre's agitation said, "I have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to revoke the permission to all coal blocks allocated around TATR, including Lohara coal block given to APL. The allocation in the core forest area threatening the existence of the tiger is in stark contrast with the policy of union ministry of environment and forests. While I have detailed the disastrous consequences of mining in the forest around Tadoba to PM and other concerned authorities, I will personally take up the issue with them when I reach Delhi."
In light of the fact that Lohara forest acts as a tiger corridor and allowing mining in this rich wildlife habitat will disrupt ecological balance to a disastrous extent, Pugalia has demanded for CBI probe about how APL managed to get coal block allocated in core jungle area. He is likely to fly to Delhi on Wednesday to take up the matter with the authorities concerned.
Meanwhile, support continues to pour in for Bandu Dhotre. On Tuesday, office bearers of Chandrapur Bar Association met Dhotre and declared their full support against the proposed APL mine in Lohara.
"Now, traders, industrialists, doctors, lawyers, politicians, conservationists, ex-forest employees and, most importantly, the common man, stands with me in the fight against APL. The district collector repeatedly tried to pursuade me to give up the fast, claiming that the matter is concerned with union government and there is nothing left to be done at the district level. However, I will not budge till the union coal ministry cancels the allocation of the coal blocks," said Dhtore.
