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Trials continue for the Adivasi community in Odisha’s Dhinkia village of Jagatsinghpur district. On February 7, 2022, community members worked with rights activists to submit a complaint against violations at the site where the JSW Utka Steel Ltd intends to carry out its development projects. Residents submitted a memorandum to Deputy Director General of Forests A.T Mishra demanding an impartial inquiry regarding the Environment Clearance (EC) of the proposed project.
Earlier, the EAC responded to complaints regarding the disturbances of sand dunes along with construction of roads at the project site by directing the regional office at Bhubaneswar to submit a report to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.On Monday, residents talked about further violations at the same location. Primarily, the memorandum talked about the large number of trees that were cut by the project proponent before receiving the approval or environmental clearance from the Forest Department. Many trees and shrubs were also uprooted using JSB machines and back-filled to hide the existence of those fauna.
“This is a strict violation of the Environmental Impact Assessment 2006 and Forest Conservation Act 1980,” said the memorandum.
Further, the project proponents used concrete slabs and other construction machinery during fencing work at night in the forest area between the jetty and the ISP plant site. Residents worried that this will severely affect the forest animals.
“On this pretext the Committee has already instructed the project proponent to provide the conservation measure of the forest patch. Therefore we would like you to consider our earnest request and take necessary action thereupon as per the provision, for which we would be highly obliged to you,” said the letter.
The signatories asked officers to enquire about such violations as against EIA Notification 2006 & Ministry’s O.M regarding securing of land. To ensure transparency and accountability, they demanded the entire enquiry be videographed.
“We would also like to request you to consider us who mostly work in safeguarding the environment and forest through various professions to accompany your team during the field visit which could ease your team’s work,” said the letter signed by activists, villagers and supporters.
A copy of the memorandum can be viewed below:
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