By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, May 7: Tibetans from the Yulshok Gargye region in Minyak County (Ch. Minya) Sichuan Province in Eastern Tibet congregated to protest against Chinese mining pursuits and the resulting environmental consequences in the area on May 4.
More than a hundred Tibetans protested near Mt. Minyak Gangkar located near Dhartsedo City; displaying the dead fishes from the polluted water bodies from the vicinity and even lying on the road calling for an immediate stop to the reckless mining pursuits. The water bodies and river in the area has been polluted reportedly after toxic waste from the mining activities.
The protesters highlighted the absence of “rule of law under the Communist party” and the deceitful assurances by the local Chinese authorities in the area. It is not clear if the Chinese authorities arrested anyone from the protest.
In 2005, after wide-spread protest in the same region, mining activities were halted. The Luchu River where the toxic wastes were dumped was polluted resulting in the death of many fishes and domestic stocks dependent on the water body. Landslides, degradation of grasslands and pollution of drinking water are other affects of the mining pursuits.
The mining was once again resumed last month causing similar damages seen in 2005 that prompted local Tibetans to protest against the miners. Chinese forces, 70 personnel strong, have arrived at the spot of the protest geared and prepared to contain the protesters.
Tibet’s rich natural resources have meant China has deployed all means to strip away the resources into the mainland fuelling their economy, activists say. In September 2011, China announced plans to spend 300 billion Yuan (US$46.89 billion) on 226 key projects ranging from railway and dam building to mining and promoting tourism in Tibet within the next five years.
