PMK wants Arittapatti to be declared as ‘protected biodiversity zone’ to prevent tungsten mining

Accusing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of trying to “cheat” the people of Madurai district by adopting a resolution against the proposed tungsten mining project in and around Arittapatti village, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss demanded that the State enact a law to safeguard the entire 5,000 acres of land in the village by declaring it as a ‘protected biodiversity zone’.

Accusing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of trying to “cheat” the people of Madurai district by adopting a resolution against the proposed tungsten mining project in and around Arittapatti village, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss demanded that the State enact a law to safeguard the entire 5,000 acres of land in the village by declaring it as a ‘protected biodiversity zone’.

Addressing the people of Arittapatti and Vellalapatti on Thursday (December 26, 2024), Dr. Anbumani said he would not allow the Union and State governments to acquire even one cent of their farmlands for tungsten mining.

“Only by declaring Arittapatti and the surrounding 50 villages as ‘protected biodiversity zone’ on the lines of protected special agriculture zone in the delta region can the government provide a permanent solution to the proposed tungsten mining issue,” he said.

Dr. Anbumani also accused the DMK government of being hand-in-glove with both the Centre and Vedanta Group — a subsidiary of which has won the auction for carrying out tungsten mining in the region. Merely adopting a resolution against tungsten mining will not prevent the danger to the villages, he said.

The MP said he would stage a protest in front of the Tamil Nadu Assembly to press for a ‘protected biodiversity zone’ during the ensuing session in January 2025. He warned that tungsten mining could not only wipe out fertile farmland but also the Tamil identity in the nearby heritage site on the Arittapatti hillock. It may be noted that the Tamil Nadu government had declared Arittapatti as a biodiversity heritage site in 2022.

“The farmers who are feeding us would be rendered landless. Besides, mining would also destroy several waterbodies, springs, and the habitats of hundreds of birds and animals,” he said.

Party general secretary S. Vadivel Ravanan and treasurer Thilagabama were also present.