Bauxite Mine Threatens Endangered Gecko and Adivasi Rights in Odisha
A proposed mining project in Odisha's Balda hills puts the endangered Jeypore ground gecko at risk and has sparked two years of protests from local Adivasi communities claiming ancestral land rights.
Bauxite Mine Threatens Endangered Gecko and Adivasi Rights in Odisha
The future of the critically endangered Jeypore ground gecko hangs in the balance as a bauxite mining project looms over Odisha's Balda hills. Recent reports show that only four individuals of this rare species have been documented in the past year, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. Meanwhile, local Adivasi communities are raising their voices against the mining project, asserting that the land in question is their ancestral heritage.
For two years, these residents have protested, demanding recognition of their rights and an end to the mining plans that threaten both their livelihoods and the ecosystem. What will the government do to protect this endangered species and uphold the rights of the Adivasi people? Are their voices being heard amidst corporate interests?
As reported by The Hindu, the situation in Balda hills underscores a critical intersection of environmental conservation and social justice. Citizens are left questioning who is responsible for safeguarding both the gecko and the rights of the marginalized communities in the face of such development projects.
Source: The Hindu
