Mazhar Ali, TNN, Jul 21, 2009, 03.05am IST
CHANDRAPUR: Bandu Dhotre, president of Eco-Pro, began his fast unto death agitation (satyagraha) on Monday in front of the district collectorate here to oppose the proposed coal mine by Adani Power Limited (APL) in Lohara jungles near the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). This is the second time Dhotre has launched a satyagraha to oppose the proposed mine, which will threaten the existence of tigers and wildlife habitat in and around TATR.
Several conservationists joined in Dhotre's protest, raising anti-Adani slogans and demanding stop to all mining activities by Adani or any other concern in the vicinity of TATR. They also took part in a protest
Social workers and conservationists like Umesh Choube, Haribhau Kedar, Seema Sahu, Dyaneshwar Gurav, Swanand Soni, Sanjay Karkare, Yogeshwar Doodhpachare, Pradeep Deshmukh, Mukesh Walke and others took part in the protest march.
"After being deceived last time, this time I am alert and will not give up the satyagraha unless competent authorities reject all the mining projects that threaten the existence of tigers and rich flora and fauna near TATR," said Bandu Dhotre. He had staged a similar satyagraha during the winter session of the assembly at Nagpur over the same demand and called it off after forest minister Babanrao Pachpute promised to come up with a solution to the issue.
"Pachpute, instead of rejecting the proposal of a mine in Lohara, constituted a study committee to mitigate the damage. The study group turned out to be an eyewash, as every body from the forest department on it was pushing for clearance of the project instead of opposing it. As the group was going against my demands, I resigned within an hour of the first meeting of the group," said Dhotre, adding that this time no trick will move him from his stand.
"This time I am prepared to face any consequences and will withdraw only after I get a concrete promise to reject the Adani mine and other similar projects at Lohara and nearby jungles," he said. Dhotre said the APL mines and other industrial groups coming up in the jungles would destroy the tiger corridor connecting TATR with other junglesmarch from Gandhi Chowk to collectorate.
Several conservationists joined in Dhotre's protest, raising anti-Adani slogans and demanding stop to all mining activities by Adani or any other concern in the vicinity of TATR. They also took part in a protest
Social workers and conservationists like Umesh Choube, Haribhau Kedar, Seema Sahu, Dyaneshwar Gurav, Swanand Soni, Sanjay Karkare, Yogeshwar Doodhpachare, Pradeep Deshmukh, Mukesh Walke and others took part in the protest march.
"After being deceived last time, this time I am alert and will not give up the satyagraha unless competent authorities reject all the mining projects that threaten the existence of tigers and rich flora and fauna near TATR," said Bandu Dhotre. He had staged a similar satyagraha during the winter session of the assembly at Nagpur over the same demand and called it off after forest minister Babanrao Pachpute promised to come up with a solution to the issue.
"Pachpute, instead of rejecting the proposal of a mine in Lohara, constituted a study committee to mitigate the damage. The study group turned out to be an eyewash, as every body from the forest department on it was pushing for clearance of the project instead of opposing it. As the group was going against my demands, I resigned within an hour of the first meeting of the group," said Dhotre, adding that this time no trick will move him from his stand.
"This time I am prepared to face any consequences and will withdraw only after I get a concrete promise to reject the Adani mine and other similar projects at Lohara and nearby jungles," he said. Dhotre said the APL mines and other industrial groups coming up in the jungles would destroy the tiger corridor connecting TATR with other junglesmarch from Gandhi Chowk to collectorate.
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