Stop Mining in Indian National Park and Exports for Japan! August 18, 2000
Mr. Yoshiro Mori
Excavated in the Kudremukh National Park, India Dear Mr. Mori, We are very much concerned with the possible extension of mining lease in the Kudremukh National Park and the involvement of Japanese corporations in importing iron ore from this area. The Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka, India, is one of the most important world natural heritages. It forms an important area of the Western Ghats forests that are known for rich bio-diversity and invaluable ecosystems. Three major rivers that provide water and critical natural resources for local people also originate in this area. However the mining operations of the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL) has resulted in serious negative impacts on the natural habitats in the Park. Presently the KIOCL is seeking extension of the mining lease in this area for another 20 years and also planning expansion of mining areas. This will be a great threat to this area that is already seriously damaged. For the past several years, Japanese major trading companies and steel companies have been importing and buying a million tons of iron ore produced in this area annually. Trading about one thirds of the total production of the KIOCL, these companies have supported KIOCL's destructive activities. Without recognizing their environmental responsibilities, those companies are still interested in continuing to purchase iron ore from this area, if and when the mining lease is extended. We are aware that without commitment of those Japanese companies to purchase the products, the KIOCL's environmentally irresponsible operations are not possible. We are also aware that support of Japanese public export credit agencies, namely, the Japan Bank of International Cooperation and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, will be critical encouragement for trading decisions of the companies. Thus we strongly urge you not to provide public support to those Japanese companies that are going to trade natural resources exploited in environmentally destructive manner. As the two public export credit agencies now have environmental policies, we request you to implement them in responsible and meaningful manner.
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Most respectfully,
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