Mining Threate Looms over Tiruvannamalai Hills

IF you are planning to visit Thiruvannamalai hills for Girivalam (circular path around the hill) or a trek through the forests, better hurry up. For, the hills will lose their serenity and clean air will be a thing of the past once proposed mining operations begin in the reserved forests of Kavuthi Malai and Vediappan Malai that have a rich reserve of iron ore.
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The project, if it comes through, will wreak havoc to the fragile ecosystem of the hills. Besides posing a threat to wildlife, it will affect the livelihood of farmers and cause health problems for the pilgrims doing the monthly Girivalam around the famous Arunachaleswarar temple and those visiting the Vediappan temple, says Piyush Sethia of Speak Out Salem, which is spearheading an anti-mining movement.
JWS Steel plans to tap 41.78 percent low-grade magnetite quartz ore by putting up mining facilities and beneficiation and pelletization plants. One million tonnes of iron ore will be tapped per annum after ‘clearing’ 2.20 lakh trees of 15 girths.
This apart, lakhs of other trees, including those grown under a Japanese government-funded project in the last four years, would be felled, a forest official said. The forest is home for indigenous flora and fauna and endangered species like Monitor Lizard, Pangolin, Deer and Porcupine, he added.
Since the mining involves drilling and blasting, as mentioned in the Rapid Environment Impact Assessment (REIA) report, it would cause air and water pollution too. Though the report specifies pollution abatement measures, it is impossible to prevent the iron ore dust from polluting the air in a minimum of eight-km radius, posing a threat to the Girivalam around the Thiruvannamalai hills, said an officer at the Collectorate. He added that tippers would be used to transport the pelletization materials, disrupting the tranquility of the hills.
The project would bring no jobs for the locals but would displace lakhs of farmers in the 10 villages around the two hills, said Kumar Ambayiram, an environment activist.

Report on The New Indian Express dated 1/22/2009