(BS)
Cricket legends Ian and Greg Chappell are among 90 prominent Australians who have signed an open letter calling on Indian energy giant Adani to abandon its controversial coal mine project in Queensland, warning it could damage bilateral ties and even affect sporting links. The 21.7 billion dollar Carmichael coal mine project, one of the world’s largest, to start construction this year after being given the green light by the federal and Queensland state governments. The project involves dredging 1.1 million cubic metres of spoil near the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which will then be disposed off on land.
The letter addressed to Gautam Adani, the company’s founder and chairman, cites public opposition, risks to miners’ health, climate change and potential impact on the Great Barrier Reef as reasons not to proceed. “Cricket has a bit to do with the feeling between India and Australia,” said Ian Chappell.