Endangered Gecko Faces Extinction as Mining Project Threatens Adivasi Ancestral Land
A proposed bauxite mine in Odisha’s Balda hills endangers the rare Jeypore ground gecko and Adivasi rights, sparking two years of protests.
Endangered Gecko Faces Extinction as Mining Project Threatens Adivasi Ancestral Land
In a troubling turn of events, just four individuals of the endangered Jeypore ground gecko have been recorded in Odisha’s Balda hills over the past year. This area is not only home to this rare species but is also the site of a proposed bauxite mining project that local Adivasis have fiercely opposed for two years, claiming it as their ancestral land.
The plight of the Jeypore ground gecko raises critical questions about government accountability. What measures are being taken to protect this endangered species? How can officials justify risking biodiversity for mining interests? Furthermore, the Adivasis' protest highlights a broader issue of land rights and the need for the government to uphold the promises made to indigenous communities.
As reported by The Hindu, the future of both the gecko and the Adivasi community hangs in the balance. Will the government listen to the voices of the people and take action to protect both the environment and the rights of its citizens?
Source: The Hindu
