KalingaTimes Correspondent
Bhubaneswar, May 14: The Dongria and Jharnia tribals of Orissa have petitioned the Supreme Court submitting that they be heard before a final decision was taken on the contentious issue of extraction of bauxite from Niyamgiri.

In a letter sent to the apex court on Tuesday, the tribals have submitted that they be heard by the court before a final decision was taken on the proposed mining operation in and around Niyamgiri hills.

At a press conference here on Wednesday, members of Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti Jitu Jakesika and Dodi Pusika said that if bauxite was extracted from Niyamgiri hills it would adversely affect the livelihood sources of over 15000 Dongria and Jharnia tribals living in the area.

“We worship Niyamgiri hills and it should not be destroyed by mining,” they said.

The representation was sent to the Supreme Court after they came to know from newspaper reports that the matter was to be heard by the court on May 16.

Jakesika warned that if the controversial Vedanta Group was allowed to mine Niyamgiri hills, the Dongria and Jharnia tribals living in the area spread over Kalahandi and Rayagada districts would join hands to prevent the company from extracting bauxite from the hills.

“If the State government was concerned about our development, it should take measures to protect the rich biodiversity of Niyamgiri hills,” Jakesika said.