Farmers oppose mining project near Mahuva

Rajkot: Nearly 10,000 farmers from the coastal villages of Talaja and Mahuva talukas of Bhavnagar collectively opposed the proposed limestone mining project of cement giant UltraTech Cement Ltd (ULCL) during the public hearing meetings held on Wednesday.
Two public meets were organized by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) at villages Bambhor and Kotda seeking people's view on the proposed mining project.
The first public hearing took place in Bambhor village where UTCL sought environmental clearance for limestone mining in 193.3269 hectare area with production capacity of 0.53 MTPA. The second site for public hearing was Uncha Kotda village where the company proposes limestone mining in 670.4826 hectare area with production capacity of 2.074 MTPA.
"Thousands of farmers from villages of Kalsar, Bambhor, Kalsar, Dayal, Nicha Kotda, Uncha Kotda, Talli and others have unanimously opposed the limestone mining project. This is one of the biggest threats to environment and ecology of the region and farmers understand it well," said Dr Kanu Kalsaria, who led the protests.
"Limestone is a natural barrier between mainland and sea and prevents salinity ingress. If they are removed salinity will seep and turning fertile land saline. Moreover, the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) for this project has no mention of wildlife presence and Coastal Regulation Zones," said Bharat Bhil, a farmer from Nicha Kotda village. "Instead of mining, we urge government to expedite the proposed Methla Bandhara (artificial water reservoir) as it will stop salinity ingress," said another farmer Raghu Bhil.