There are villages of Bela and Binika in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. These villages are in the headlines these days. Recently, information has been revealed about the alleged excerpts of gold particles and metal in the land here. Since this news, not only the local administration and geologists’ eyes have been on this area. While this discovery can bring possible development and mining opportunities for these villages, on the other hand, deep apprehensions have also arisen in the minds of the villagers. Villagers say that if the government or mining companies take this sector in their possession, then their ancestral land and farming can be taken away. This is the reason why they are immersed in more worry than enthusiasm.
The biggest concern to the villagers is that if the mine really develops here, then their fields and land will be acquired. Most families in this region depend on farming. This has been the main source of their livelihood for generations. In such a situation, the fear of snatching the land is sleeping.
The villagers of Binika village said…
Vinod Kumar Dahiya, a resident of Binaika village, says, farming is everything for us. If the government takes our land, then first we need to confident that we will get some concrete in return – whether there is employment or the option of another land.
‘We need our future security’
At the same time, Ravi Singh Thakur, a villager of Bela village, says, if excavations are done here, our livelihood will be taken away. We do not just want the glow of gold, we need our future protection.
Villagers say that not only Bela and Binika, but Kevalari, Mahgawan and other nearby villages of Sihora tehsil can also be affected by this possible mining. According to the initial assessment, there is talk of getting gold particles and metals in about 100 hectares (about 250 acres) area. Villagers claim that if mining starts on a large scale, then the government or any private company can acquire their land.
Rural Onkar Patel says, we are not opposed to mining, but not at the cost of our lives. We need to guarantee employment and rehabilitation first. Give land in lieu of land or give a sure job, only then we can think of cooperating. At the moment, there is worry about snatching the land.
What did GSI director say?
Meanwhile, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) Director General Asit Saha, who reached Jabalpur, clarified the situation. He said that only testing is going on and it is too early to talk about getting a lot of gold reserves. According to him, the indications related to gold in the area are of the initial level. It is not yet decided how much gold actually exists under the ground. He also informed that 40 GSI projects in Madhya Pradesh are running for mineral exploration and this survey of Sihora is one of them.
While the concerns of the villagers are valid, the need for transparency and dialogue is being felt in view of the seriousness of this situation at the government level too. The villagers demand that if the mining process progresses, then they should be told clearly what will be with them, what they will get and what will be the option of their livelihood.
If steps are taken towards mining and development in villages like Bela and Binika, then it is very important that the local people be taken into confidence. Then the villagers here will feel confused about their future and will not live in fear of losing their land even by sitting on a gold pile.
