THIS is apropos A.B. Arisar’s article ‘Tharis have serious doubt over coal exploration process’ (June 28). We agree that the Thar coal exploration process is not being carried out properly.

The locals feel threatened because the government of Sindh and the mining company concerned have not taken any measures for resettlement of the people. Besides, they seem indifferent to its environmental aspects.

I had a chance to attend a seminar on Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) of Thar Coal, which was organised by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). I was surprised to learn that no civil society representative, journalist and villager had access to the SEIA report before the hearing, so how could they raise any questions on its technical, environmental, social, cultural and economic aspects?

Meanwhile, the mining company was unjustified in saying that it had uploaded an English report on a website for local Thari people.

The irony is that the locals have a low literacy rate, so how does anybody expect them to be familiar with computers? Another seminar was organised a few months back where everybody was handed out a 200-page report which they were supposed to review within 20 minutes and then ask questions regarding it. In short, it is a clever way of keeping people in the dark by not publicising these reports before taking any final considerations.

People living in the vicinity of the Thar Coal mines fear that open pit mining would disturb all three layers of aquifers, resulting in water scarcity for the people. Besides, there is a good likelihood of groundwater contamination. It will emerge as a major challenge if it is not prevented in advance.

Access to safe drinking water is not an easy job in Tharparkar where more than 90pc inhabitants depend on underground water.

The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Government of Sindh should keep all these problems in mind before preparing any exploration plans.

MUKESH RAJA Mithi, Tharparkar