Hello everyone !!! The topic that I am gonna talk about is very important. I would like to ask a question that what in your view is more  important, “A diamond mining project or a deep forest with lakhs of tress and habitat to wildlife” ? Let me explain the scene then you may be able to answer this question . 

There is a forest in the Chhatarpur region in the Madhya Pradesh state namely the Buxwaha Forest. This area is under limelight in recent times because our govt. has given the permission for diamond mining in this Buxwaha Forest. Let's begin the story from starting.

In the year 2004, a company named Rio Tinto discovered large diamond deposit in this forest region. This deposit was given the name of Bander Project because of huge no. of monkey living in this region. Rio Tinto kept a proposal before the MP govt. that the govt. will get 10% royalty on the diamonds that will be sold from this mine and rest 90% of profit will be kept by the company. If this project was given the permission this would become one of the biggest diamond deposit in India. Rio Tinto was given the permission for mining and it was estimated that around 5 lakh trees would be cut for this project. Many other species of flora and fauna would be in danger. 

A famous environmental activist Shehla Masood opposed this decision in 2011 and movements were organised against this decision. Many NGOs and people opposed this decision. But unfortunately Shehla Masood was shot death. CBI was handed over this case but the result was very shameful as CBI reports said that their was a love triangle in her case. Coming back to our main objective.

In March 2016, Forest Advisory Commission declared that this area comes under inviolate category because it's a rich forest area and Tiger corridor between Panna Tiger Reserve and other wildlife sanctuary. The National Tiger Conservation Authority came up with  similar reports.

After all these reports the govt. rejected the mining permission on this project. Even after desperate submissions for permission, in 2016 Rio Tinto finally gave up of this project. 

But the diamond mafias in our country were still active. The Congress returned in  Madhya Pradesh govt. in 2018 and decided to revive this project. It was estimated that there is a chance to earn ₹ 55,000 crore . A bidding process was introduced and Tthe Aditya Birla Group won the bid process and got around 364 hectares of forest land on a lease of 50 years. The proposal was that 58% of profit will be kept by The Aditya Birla Group and 42% with the Madhya Pradesh govt. 

But let's think deep that is it a good idea to clear such a big forest area for diamonds. Is it really more important than our nature. What is the importance of diamonds ? Merely 1% of people use diamonds. It is a item of luxury for the people who can afford it. 

This area is a water-prone area and diamond mining is a water intensive project. It was estimated that around 590 crore litres of water will be used in this project every year. 

What about the livelihood of the local tribals? They earn and survive from the forest. The govt. promises to provide employment to these people. But will this be sufficient for them. Think over it .

The diamond mining industry is called a scam due to the monopoly of some companies. There are several other ways of preparing diamonds other than mining. Diamond can be prepared in labs similar to the mined ones. It is made up of Carbon. The carbon present in air can be captured and used in labs for diamond manufacturing. Already companies have started this project. 

So it's a matter of concern for us in terms of nature and wildlife conservation. It is estimated that around 2 lakh trees would be cut down.  If this project is started it willl ruin and destroy home to many species of flora and fauna and affect our nature adversely. So this is a request to everyone to please come ahead to stop this project. 

#StopBuxwahaDiamondProject