Navi Mumbai | Aug 08, 2016: Local villagers and environmentalists are opposing the state government's proposed auction of Degve Banda iron ore mine block, which comes in the eco-sensitive zone of Sindhudurg.

NGO Vanshakti threatened to move court if mining is permitted, as the residents will face water scarcity and the locals have also decided to organize a hunger strike. Stalin Dayanand, director of projects, Vanshakti said, "Locals now compensated by the government will face water scarcity due to mining. The mining decision will be challenged in the court."

The Degve Sangharsh Samiti secretary Pravin Desai said, "The villages of Degve and Banda are fighting against mining in forest area. Gramsabhas have passed resolutions, objecting mining in the eco-sensitive zone. Private forest owners are also opposing the move."

Degve resident Sanjay Desai said that the Gadgil and Dr Kasturirangan committees classified the area as an eco-sensitive zone. "A notice about villagers organizing a hunger strike will be served to the sub-divisional officer this week. We will lose our livelihood land."

The mine area is in Bhingad (Sindhudurug)-Radha Nagari (Kolhapur) 320-sq km wildlife corridor, located 540km from Mumbai.

Banda activist Sandeep Sawant stated that the area is close to Sahyadri tiger project and Koyna, Gajipur and Radha Nagari sanctuaries. "The mining will threaten the biodiversity. The high court had asked the state to prepare the eco-sensitive zone plan in 2013 for this area based on our plea," he added.

A Directorate of Geology and Mining official said that the state government is in communication with the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest on the draft notification of eco-sensitive zone issue. "The tender has been invited keeping in mind that this area is not formally notified as an eco-sensitive zone," he added.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)