TURA, April 28 � The Tura A�chik (Garo) Senior Citizens Forum has opposed the move to mine uranium by denotifying an area of eight square km in Rongcheng plateau of Balpakram National Park.
The senior citizens forum in an emergent meeting here attended by members of the Asima Dingsima Rangsaljong Association (ADRA) opposed the move by the Department of Atomic Energy to denotify the area for the proposed uranium mining.
The president of the senior citizens forum, W G Momin, apprised the members about the need to protect and preserve Balpakram National Park and said every effort needs to be made based on the principle of equity and law on protection of environment and Prevention of Pollution (Central and States, 1993) and also upholding the agenda of World Leaders Summit on Global Warming (December 2009).
Members pointed out that experts in the field of forest and environment selected Balpakram for a national park in 1986 primarily because the area harbours a rich biodiversity coupled with virgin forests that are teeming with wild animals, epiphytic orchids, medicinal plants and herbs, among others.
The senior citizens during the discussion also dwelled on the historical background of Balpakram, that is the age old belief of the Garos that the place is the abode of the dead men�s soul.
�We as custodians want protection and preservation of Rongcheng Plateau and will not allow under any circumstances to explore these areas for uranium mining,� stated the Tura A�chik (Garo) senior citizens forum.
The forum has also urged the Wildlife department not to agree to the exploration of the protected and preserved national park.
The meeting passed a charter of resolutions. The resolutions called for protection of the entire park since it holds some the most endangered wildlife such as the Hoolock Gibbon, Golden cat, Langur, binturong, clouded leopard, otter, slow loris, wild buffalo, among others.
Balpakram is also one of few places in the world which continues to have some of the most eye-catching birds and plants. The great Indian Hornbill, snow patridge, the large racket failed drongo, red jungle fowl, are some of the birds that visitors have come across inside the Park.
The world famous pitcher plant and the colourful orchids of Garo Hills are also found in plenty in the national park.
The extensive destruction of forest cover due to coal and limestone mining in and around Nangalbibra and Chokpot in South Garo Hills which borders Balpakram has alarmed the NGOs including the senior citizens. The mining has caused the Simsang river to become polluted resulting in toxic poisoning of all forms of aquatic life. The entire land has become barren and streams and rivulets in the catchment areas have dried up and people�s health have been severely affected by coal dust pollution.
�The mining of uranium will definitely bring serious health and environmental hazards as we see in the living example of coal and limestone mining. Mining will drive out both human and animal population from Rongcheng Plateau,� warned the Tura A�chik (Garo) Senior Citizens Forum.
