Movement against mining in Hasdeo Aranya forest gets big impetus

 

 

 

The movement against mining block in Hasdeo Aranya forest got a big impetus as representatives of major public movements from 15 states turned up at village Hariharpur demonstration venue of Surguja District to support the tribal people opposing coal mining.

The activists led by Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar talked to the tribal people and learned about the entire issue before offering full support. The activists also addressed protestors on indefinite movement at Bilaspur on their way to Hariharpur. Thousands of protestors with predominantly women from 15 gram panchayats and Sarpanchs were present at the demonstration venue.

In a press conference at Raipur Press Club about their dialogue with protesting tribal communities, the activists led by Medha Patkar said that Hasdeo Aranya forests have been given for mining. It’s a conspiracy to grab the land of tribal communities by destroying the forest. The tribes are on indefinite protest against this sinister design. She informed that they reached the protest site to support the tribal people and saw the nature, forest and the culture. Hasdeo-Aranya is another example of the evil cycle of loot of natural resources going on in the nation. If the Governments will not back down from the decision then they will raise the movement at national level, said Medha Patkar. In 2005, Congress Government had brought Forest Rights Act by recognising historical injustice done to forest dwelling communities. But, now the same Congress Government is violating the same Act at Hasdeo Aranya. The activists also alleged that fake documents of Gram Sabha’s consent were used to snatch rights of Panchayats. Both State and Central governments in connivance with big corporate groups are robbing tribal people of their rights and natural resources. The Hasdeo movement is important for the nation. The activists also appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement clean energy generation as announced at G-7 meeting. They also urged PM Modi to honor the Paris Agreement. At the press conference, Medha Patkar was accompanied by Sarvahara Jan Andolan activist Ulka Mahajan, Lok Sangharsh Morcha leader Pratibha Shinde, Odisha Zindabad Sangathan leader Trilochan Punji, Madhya Pradesh Kisan Sangharsh Samiti Dr Aradhana Bhargav, Lokadhikar Sangathan Delhi Dharmendra, Janjagaran Shakti Sangathan member Sohini, Dr Gulfam Sheikh from Kashmir and Awadh Peepal Forum member Gufran Bhai.