The Lohardongari Mine project poses an imminent threat to our local environment and community welfare. As residents deeply rooted in Chandrapur district, we have witnessed firsthand the turmoil caused by human-wildlife conflicts.  In the past year alone, our region has suffered 47 tragic deaths as a result of these conflicts. Allowing this mining project to continue would exacerbate this already devastating situation, compromising both human safety and natural ecosystems.

The project proponent has demanded a biodiversity-rich area of 35.94 hectares of Reserved Forest, involving the felling of 18,024 trees. This forest is not just a strip of land; it is the heart of the dense Bramhapuri forest division, adjacent to the Ghodajhari Wildlife Sanctuary. It serves as a crucial tiger corridor connecting the source population of tigers in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) to the Bramhapuri-Gadchiroli landscape and northern tiger-bearing forests.

Why this Forest is Irreplaceable:
* Ecological Value: This forest is home to more than 60 tigers and other wild species of flora and fauna, making it more valuable than many designated protected areas.
* Flagship Species: It is a vital habitat for flagship species like the Tiger and Leopard.
* Current Crisis: Fragmentation due to irrigation projects, canals, and road widening has already "boxed in" large carnivores, forcing them to co-exist with people and leading to the highest levels of human-carnivore conflict in recent times.

Catastrophic Impacts of Mining:
The core activity of mining iron ore and ancillary activities like road construction and transportation will have large-scale negative impacts on the ecology of the area. Any mining here will cause:

1. Irreversible Damage: Permanent loss of large tree cover and damage to wildlife habitats.

2. Environmental Pollution: Immense pollution of air and water sources.

3. Escalated Conflict: Forest fragmentation will increase threats to human life, as tigers and leopards will be forced further into human settlements.

While proponents argue for economic benefits, the promised jobs are minimal—only about 120 jobs in total, with just 32 being permanent. This negligible gain scarcely compensates for the long-term environmental degradation and the "century of victims" we fear this conflict will create.

Join us in urging the local government, NBWL, and environmental authorities to reconsider this proposal. Let us champion alternative developments that align with both economic and environmental sustainability. By adding your voice, you are taking a stand for Chandrapur’s natural heritage and a future where humans and wildlife can coexist safely.

Sign this petition to stop the Lohardongari Mine and protect the Tadoba-Bramhapuri Tiger Corridor for generations to come.