At $900, the cost of producing aluminium in the State is the lowest in the world. This is going to cost the tigers of their lives, cry wildlife activists of the State. Wildlife activists apprehend bauxite mining at Khandualmali hill at Karlapat in Kalahandi could adversely affect the tiger population. Vedanta would create problems for the tigers of Kalahandi. "Although there is no bauxite mining near the sprawling ecosystem of the mega conservation efforts which has close to a 100 tigers in Simlipal but the tigers would face danger if the area close to the forests is used for industrial purpose, wildlife activist Biswajit Mohanty said.

Other mammalian species like leopards, deer, elephants, antelopes, wild dog, wild boar, sloth bears, monkeys, hyenas, porcupines and other mammals are likely to face ecological imbalances in the wake of massive industrialisation, he warned round 230 species of birds in these forests. This is an ecologically sensitive and fragile area and houses 192 tigers (2004 census) left in the State," people for animal president Jiban Das said. He also held poaching as another major reason for the decline in tiger's population in the State, he said.

"Both the Rayagada and Kalahandi South Forest Division have tigers. The Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary is adjacent to the mine site. Tigers from Narayanpatna and Liliguma forests are known to migrate to the Kalahandi's Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary and operation of mines in the areas nearby would cut off the migration, Mohanty pointed out. As per the latest census, there are four tigers in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts for which this area is critical. It is a water-rich area and is home to several species including leopards, tigers, elephants, black panthers, deer, and several varieties of birds. It is also rich in floral wealth and is a habitat of more than 25 types of orchids, several varieties of ferns and lichens. Forest officials had proposed bringing the adjacent areas of the WLS like Nehla, Sagada, Jerka and Jugsaipatna and Urladani under the Sanctuary in view of its rich wildlife wealth.

The Government has itself proposed that Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjacent Khandualmali hill forests be included in the newly proposed south Orissa elephant reserve since elephants migrate here from Kotagad and Phulbani forests through the Niyamgiri hill range. IMuch of its floral and faunal wealth remain unexplored and unidentified. If mining is permitted, this incredible bio-diversity shall be adversely impacted and many species are likely to disappear before documentation.

The watershed of the area drains towards the Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary and more than 35 streams originate from the hilltop. Bauxite mining leads to overburden run off and leaching of minerals, which will contaminate the sanctuary since the hilltop is the source of water for the sanctuary's wildlife. The Khandualmali hill is the highest point in this area and it is the water source for the entire wildlife sanctuary and its species. Bauxite at the hilltop enables the water to be retained throughout the year, which is released gradually into the perennial water streams.

Nagavalli is fed by streams from this hill. Similarly, water from this hill feeds Tel River, which is an important tributary of Mahanadi. Mining of bauxite would destroy the rich water source and lead to the collapse of adjacent Karlapat.

As per the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, an area of 10 km from the border of any sanctuary or national park is treated as "eco sensitive" and no development activities are permissible here. This rule was reiterated in the National Wildlife Strategy, 2002. The Supreme Court in orders passed in the Godavarman case is also in favour of closing mines and quarries situated close to sanctuaries.