Bauxite Mining Banned in Vizag by Andhra Government

Addressing the two-day collectors’ conference at Praja Vedika at Undavalli, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, has asked the mining department to ban bauxite mining in the district of Vishakhapatnam. He said that if the local people don’t want this mining, the government has no reason to continue it. He also told, during his padayatra in the area, many tribal representatives have come forward to help in this regard.

The Chief Minister has discussed this issue with collectors and IAS officers on the second day of the meet. He has asked them to cancel all licenses and GOs, issued for bauxite mining, during the reign of previous TDP government. He believes that banning mining would give a jolt to Maoists’ movement in the area. He has also sought their cooperation to maintain law and order in the state.

It is apparent that the district of Vishakhapatnam is rich in precious stones and has abundant mines. Illegal mining of these stones has been in practice for many years now. The destruction of medicinal plants due to constant mining is an area of concern. Local tribes have been fighting this war for a long time now, as it is destroying rich forest reserves.