Dr Surendra Gadekar, on the other hand, has done his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, and post doctoral from Iowa State University and has been editing the anti-nuke magazine, Anumukti.The Adivasis of Songadh taluka of Tapi district of South Gujarat have been protesting against the proposed zinc smelter of Vedanta for the last three months after the pollution control board of Gujarat made public the environment impact assessment report of the proposed zinc plant. This report has mentioned that the zinc plant would release highly toxic elements such as cadmium, lead and arsenic besides sulphuric acid.The report was released just a week before the pollution control board announced holding of public hearing. The Adivasi Panch, organisation of Adivasis of Tapi district, and the village heads of over a dozen villages had requested the district collector to postpone the public hearing in view of the prevailing Covid pandemic condition.Yet, the public hearing was held. Thousands of Adivasis turned up for the hearing where they vehemently opposed the zinc plant saying it would have adverse impact on the health of people and cattle as well ruin their fertile land. There was a clash between police and the Adivasis after the police resorted to lathi charge and lobbed teargas shells.The district collector was compelled to postpone the public hearing following the incident. The next public hearing is yet to be held.
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