BHUBANESWAR: Noted environmental activist Prafulla Samantara on Monday urged chief minister Naveen Patnaik to reconsider the decisions for auctions of five mines in virgin forests of Odisha. The auction date has been fixed on January 16.
These are bauxite mines at Balada in Koraput district, Kutur Mali and Siji Mali in Rayagada district, limestone in Uskalvagu of Malkangiri district and Garramura in Nuapada district. “These are very important natural resources to be conserved, protected and saved. Destruction of these resources will cause pollution and climate crisis and make the state resourceless in future,” said the activist.