Mazhar Ali, TNN, Aug 2, 2009, 04.45am IST
CHANDRAPUR: As environmentalist Bandu Dhotre's hunger strike to protest the proposed coal mine of Adani Power Ltd at Lohara entered its 13th day, the heat of his agitation is being felt Delhi and at Mumbai. On Saturday, union minister of state for environment and forests (independent portfolio) Jairam Ramesh called him up to try to convince Dhotre to give up the stir, assuring of a positive move' to fulfill his demand. However, Dhotre humbly turned down the request and held that he would not budge until the union coal ministry revokes the allocation of Lohara coal block or the state government assures in writing of not allowing mining in Lohara forest.
A delegation of social workers and conservationists including Paromita Goswami, Dr Mangesh Gulwade and Yogeshwar Doodhpachre met Ramesh in Delhi on Saturday to apprise him of details of the damage the proposed mine would cause to the rich wildlife habitat. Said Dhotre: "It was during this meeting that the minister called me up. He assured that the issue concerned his ministry as well, but as it had received no proposal for clearing the coal project, he could not assure anything in writing." Ramesh, however, is said to have said that once the proposal comes, he would take a decision keeping in view the relevant laws and regulation so that the environment as well as Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve sustains no harm, said Dhotre. "A formal letter with the similar contents was sent by Jairam Ramesh by fax immediately after the conversation," he added.
Dhotre further said that state NCP president R R Patil too called him up in the afternoon to enquire about his health. "When told that no step has been taken at administrative level, Patil called up the district collector Pradeep Kalbhor who, in turn, immediately summoned a meeting at the collectorate. My supporters met Kalbhor and apprised him that I would only give up the agitation state government assures in writing about not allowing mining in Lohara jungle," he said. Following this, the collector called up minister of state for forest Vijay Wadettiwar, who in turn has assured to visit Dhotre on Sunday evening.
"If the state government is non-cooperative and union coal ministry does not revoke the coal block allocation, then President Pratibha Patil, who also hails from Vidarbha, can intervene evoking her special privilege and cancel the Lohara coal block allocation in public interest. I have written to her, requesting the same," Dhotre said. Meanwhile Dhotre was once again moved to civil hospital on Saturday as his condition deteriorated following the thirteen day long hunger strike.
A delegation of social workers and conservationists including Paromita Goswami, Dr Mangesh Gulwade and Yogeshwar Doodhpachre met Ramesh in Delhi on Saturday to apprise him of details of the damage the proposed mine would cause to the rich wildlife habitat. Said Dhotre: "It was during this meeting that the minister called me up. He assured that the issue concerned his ministry as well, but as it had received no proposal for clearing the coal project, he could not assure anything in writing." Ramesh, however, is said to have said that once the proposal comes, he would take a decision keeping in view the relevant laws and regulation so that the environment as well as Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve sustains no harm, said Dhotre. "A formal letter with the similar contents was sent by Jairam Ramesh by fax immediately after the conversation," he added.
Dhotre further said that state NCP president R R Patil too called him up in the afternoon to enquire about his health. "When told that no step has been taken at administrative level, Patil called up the district collector Pradeep Kalbhor who, in turn, immediately summoned a meeting at the collectorate. My supporters met Kalbhor and apprised him that I would only give up the agitation state government assures in writing about not allowing mining in Lohara jungle," he said. Following this, the collector called up minister of state for forest Vijay Wadettiwar, who in turn has assured to visit Dhotre on Sunday evening.
"If the state government is non-cooperative and union coal ministry does not revoke the coal block allocation, then President Pratibha Patil, who also hails from Vidarbha, can intervene evoking her special privilege and cancel the Lohara coal block allocation in public interest. I have written to her, requesting the same," Dhotre said. Meanwhile Dhotre was once again moved to civil hospital on Saturday as his condition deteriorated following the thirteen day long hunger strike.
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