Activist bats for environment-friendly industrialisation

Noted activist from Chhattisgarh, Ramesh Agrawal, who recently received the 'Goldman Environment Prize' in the USA, today emphasised the need to promote environment and people-friendly industrialisation.
A native of Raigarh, the 60-year-old activist was felicitated with the prize by Goldman Environment Foundation on April 29 for his contribution in environment conservation.
He has been working in the tribal areas of Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh since the past ten years, organising villagers to demand their right to information about industrial development projects. He also succeeded in shutting down one of the largest proposed coal mines in Chhattisgarh.
"I never thought that I would be honoured with such a kind of recognition (Goldman prize). The credit goes to the villagers who supported me and took a stand for a better cause," Agrawal told PTI on the sidelines of a felicitation function organised by the Raipur Press Club here today.

Agrawal had left his family business of oil mill in 1999 to get associated with Lok Shakti, an NGO working for education and other developmental issues at the rural level in the region. In 2003-04, he started working in Gare, Tamnar block against coal mining and floated an organisation Jan Chetna Manch.
"The first need was to inform villagers about their rights, as they were not aware of the land acquisition process and other provisions like public hearings. Gradually people started understanding the situation and supporting the cause," he said.

Taking on big corporates, he also worked on the issue of displacement in mineral-rich Raigarh. Agrawal's work made him a target of industry supporters, as he was allegedly shot in his leg by two motorcycle-borne persons in July 2012.

Replying to a query, he said the Chhattisgarh government was not serious about the environment issues. "It is time we should promote environment and people-friendly industrialisation," he said.
He alleged that the state government has opened an easy passage for the industrial houses to exploit the natural resources and people of the state.
Sharing his future plan, he said, he will expand his movement to other parts of the state and will also focus on conservation of wildlife, particularly elephants in the northern region of Chhattisgarh.