MADURAI: Lok Sabha MP from Madurai Mr.Su.Venkatesan has today urged the Union Coal Minister Mr.G.Kishan Reddy to revoke the allocation of tungsten mineral block which was acquired by Hindustan Zinc Ltd in Melur taluk in Madurai district because this particular area has a lot of historical and ecological significance standing as a symbol of Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage.
The Madurai MP wrote a letter to the Union Minister on November 21st 2024 by citing specific reasons on why the tungsten mineral block allocation which was given to Hindustan Zinc Ltd in the auction won by it should be revoked and also exclude that particular mineral block area from future auctions by the Union Coal Ministry.
“I wish to bring to your attention that the mineral block spread over 2016 hectares which was acquired by Hindustan Zinc Ltd is of great historical and environmental importance for various reasons. On November 22nd 2022, the Tamil Nadu Government gazette announced by the State Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change had designated 193 hectares in Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram of Madurai district as Tamil Nadu’s first biodiversity heritage site. The entire Arittapatti’s designated heritage area falls within the area of 2016 hectares mineral block that was now auctioned,” the Madurai MP Mr.S.Venkatesan had pointed out in his letter today.
HISTORICAL LANDMARKS:
Stating that the tungsten mineral block put up for auction encompasses some of Tamil Nadu’s most significant historical landmarks, the MP said that they include relics dating back to 3,500 years to the megalithic period, 2,200-year-old Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, Jain beds, stone beds donated by Sangam era Pandyas and rock cut temples.
“It is a site that is preserving unique aspects of Tamil Nadu’s history. The area also features over 10 temples and a 200-year-old dargah. The renowned Alagar Hills lies just 1.5 kms from the boundaries of the mineral block allocated to Hindustan Zinc Ltd in the auction. Also, Arittapatti and its surroundings host seven contiguous hillocks forming a unique terrain crucial as a water source for the region,” Mr.Su.Venkatesan has said.
In his letter to Union Coal Minister Mr.G.Kishan Reddy, the Madurai MP informed that the mineral block region which was given to Hindustan Zinc is home to several endangered species and that area includes 72 lakes, 200 natural springs and three check dams.
“Since this mineral block area also has ecological significance, including it in auction list for mining purposes is a grave threat. Establishing a tungsten mine in this place in Madurai district in Arittapatti area will devastate heritage rich terrain and also impacts agriculture, grazing lands and groundwater level thereby resulting in irreversible environmental damage. So, I urge you to revoke the allocation of this mineral block in Madurai district to Hindustan Zinc Ltd and also direct the authorities to protect this invaluable site of history, heritage and ecology,” the Madurai MP Mr.Su.Venkatesan has urged in his letetr to the Union Coal Minister Mr.G.Kishan Reddy on November 21st 2024.
