Sirmaur environmentalist Kinkri Devi finds mention in KBC

Ambika Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Solan, October 26

Renowned environmentalist Kinkri Devi, who single-handedly fought against the mining mafia, found a mention in Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) show recently as a contestant was posed a question about “an environmentalist who fought against illegal mining and quarrying in her state, Himachal Pradesh”. Contestant Phoolbasan Yadav and Renuka Shahane won Rs 50 lakh for the correct answer.

Born in 1925, Kinkri Devi lived a life of penury at Ghaton village and was married at the young age of 14 to a bonded labourer. Her husband died at the age of 22, forcing her to work as a sweeper. She was appalled to see how indiscriminate quarrying of limestone in her area was adversely affecting the adjoining lands, water resources, pastures, forests, wildlife as well as inhabitants. Backed by a local NGO, she filed a petition in the state HC and also sat on a 19-day hunger strike to press for her cause. The court finally acceded to her plea and imposed a blanket ban on blasting in the area.

Her agitation won her international fame and the then First Lady of the US, Hillary Clinton, invited her to attend an International Women’s Conference in Beijing.

However, a memorial to honour Kinkri Devi for her exemplary feat, announced years ago, is hanging fire. Even a site measuring two bigha was set aside and a sum of Rs 10 lakh announced for the park in November 2018 by the Chief Minister. Despite a lapse of two years, the park is nowhere near completion. Kinkri Devi died in 2007 at the age of 82.

Rahul Jain, Sangrah SDM, said: “About 40 per cent of the work has been completed, including erecting the retaining walls and other works like landscaping, building huts and construction of her statue, in the available Rs 10 lakh.”

“More facilities are also planned to be undertaken by the Sports Department after the first phase of work is completed in the coming few months,” Jain added.

Know Kinkri Devi

Kinkri Devi was appalled to see how indiscriminate quarrying of limestone in her area was adversely affecting the adjoining lands, water resources, pastures, forests, wildlife as well as inhabitants. Backed by a local NGO, she filed a petition in the state HC and also sat on a 19-day hunger strike to press for her cause. The court finally acceded to her plea and imposed a blanket ban on blasting in the area.