Kataldi, in the heart of Hemwalghati in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttaranchal, was one of the centres of the Chipko movement. After these forests were saved in the 1970s, the local people undertook a range of environmental protection and conservation initiatives, such as the regeneration of forests, fighting the mining lobby, the Beej Bachao Andolan (Save the Seeds Campaign) and the Harit Himalaya (Greening the Himalaya) campaign.
Limestone mining was first undertaken around Kataldi from 1974-1979. It was stopped due to opposition by local communities who saw the mining activities destroying their forests, water sources and way of life. Subsequent attempts to mine have also been unsuccessful for the same reason. However, a 30-year lease has now been granted to M/s. Parvatiya Mineral Industry to extract limestone from 5.26 ha. right above Kataldi village. The area is immediately adjoining the Jardhargaon forest and is home to leopard, Himalayan bear, over 100 species of birds as well as the occasional tiger. In addition to these biodiversity values, the natural and perennial water springs generated by the forest help irrigate fields further down the valley. The villagers, especially the women, are adamant that they will not permit the mining to happen, as it is likely to affect their homes, drinking water, agricultural lands and the forest they depend on for fodder, fuelwood and other minor produce.
The protest against the lease has been going on for several months now, which the lease-owner has countered by filing cases in the district court against the women and other local activists. The villagers, on the other hand, with the support of NGOs like Kalpavriksh and Mines, Minerals and People, are seeking a stay on all mining activity and are also attempting to get the lease revoked.
The Chipko movement occupies a special place in the history of the Indian conservation movement. If limestone mining is now allowed in one of the very forests that was saved 30 years ago, it would be a tragedy.
Readers are encouraged to write a letter expressing their opposition to any mining in Kataldi.
