High Court bans diamond mining in Bakswaha forest.
Madhya Pradesh (Madhya Pradesh) in Jabalpur High Court (Jabalpur High CourtIn an important decision, on Tuesday, the proposed diamond mining project in Buxwaha forest located in Chhatarpur district has been banned. During the hearing, a double bench of High Court Chief Justice Justices RV Malimath and Vijay Shukla observed that the stone age rock paintings and Chandela era sculptures could be damaged by this. Issuing the stay order, the High Court bench made it clear that any mining activity would take place in the said area only after its decision.
The hearing was conducted on a PIL filed by Nagrik Consumer Forum, a non-profit organization based in Jabalpur. In this petition, there was a demand for a ban on mining operations. The petition also cited the report of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which confirmed the presence of Stone Age rock paintings and other historical structures in the forest. During the hearing on Tuesday, the High Court directed the ASI, state and central governments to give their reply on the matter.
What was in the ASI report
Advocate Surendra Verma, counsel for the petitioners, told the court that the ASI had conducted a survey of the Bakshwaha forest and submitted a report to the court in July, on the basis of which their clients had sought a stay on mining operations.
The ASI had mentioned in its report that the rock paintings found in the Bakshwaha forest are 25,000 years old and could be destroyed if mining activities are carried out in the area. The ASI also traced the presence of sculptures and pillars of the Kalachuri and Chandela eras in this area.
The decision of mining was criticized
A private mining company was offered a diamond mining contract on 364 hectares of forest land in the area. The decision was criticized nationally and internationally. Because it has put the lives of about 8,000 local residents at stake. This is because these residents are completely dependent on the forests.
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