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Mine Threatens Tiger Corridor: Wildlife vs. Development
26 Feb
Summary
- Proposed mine in Chandrapur threatens Tadoba tiger corridor
- Ecological damage outweighs job creation and iron ore output
- State Wildlife Board recommended project despite committee's opposition
A controversial open-cast iron ore mine project at Lohadongri, Chandrapur, is poised to disrupt the critical tiger corridor of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, a sanctuary for approximately 300 tigers. The project, planned by Sunflag Steel, necessitates digging up to 54 meters across 35.94 hectares within this vital wildlife habitat.
Despite a state-appointed committee's strong opposition due to extensive ecological damage, the State Wildlife Board recently recommended the project for final clearance. This committee, comprising environmental experts, underscored the project's negative impacts, including the destruction of 18,024 trees and the fragmentation of an already stressed landscape.
The committee's report concluded that the mine's projected annual output of 1.1 million tonnes of iron ore over 12 years and the creation of only 120 local jobs do not justify the irreversible environmental damage, wildlife habitat loss, and pollution risks.
Activists and political figures are urging the National Board of Wildlife to reject the proposal, emphasizing that any consideration should prioritize the integrity of wildlife corridors and ecological sustainability over marginal economic gains.
