PMK demands to declare Arittapatti as ‘protected biodiversity zone’ to stop tungsten mining

PMK president Anbumani Ramdas on Thursday addressing the people of Arittapatti village in Madurai district, where a tungsten mining project is proposed. Photo credit: R Ashok

Accusing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin of trying to “cheat” the people of Madurai district by passing a resolution against the proposed tungsten mining project in and around Arittapatti village, Pattali Makkal Kachi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramdas demanded that the state legislate. To protect the entire 5 thousand acres of land of the village by declaring it as protected biological diversity. region’.

Addressing the people of Arittapatti and Vellalapatti on Thursday (December 26, 2024), Dr. Anbumani said he would not allow the central and state governments to acquire even one percent of their agricultural land for tungsten mining.

“Only by declaring Arittapatti and 50 surrounding villages as ‘protected biodiversity areas’ on the land of special protected agricultural zone in the delta region, the government can provide a permanent solution to the problem of the proposed tungsten mine,” he said.

Dr. Anbumani also accused the DMK government of being hand-in-glove with both the Center and the Vedanta Group – whose subsidiary won the auction to operate a tungsten mine in the area. He said that only by passing the resolution against tungsten mining, the threat to the village cannot be stopped.

The MP said that he will stage a protest in front of the Tamil Nadu Assembly to push for ‘protected biodiversity zones’ in the upcoming January 2025 session. He warned that tungsten mining could destroy not only fertile agricultural land but also the Tamil identity. A nearby heritage site on Arittapatti Hills. It may be recalled that Arittapatti was declared a biodiversity heritage site in 2022 by the Tamil Nadu government.

“The farmers who feed us will be landless. Besides, mining also destroys many water bodies, estuaries and habitats of hundreds of birds and animals,” he said.

Party General Secretary S Vadivel Ravanan and Treasurer Thilagaba were also present.