"The lives of Advisasis are wholly dependent on the jungle, that's why the revere the jungle; they revere the mountains, the rivers, the water. They consider the jungle their God," says Lalsu Nagoti, a lawyer and activist who focuses on tribal rights.

This is why the Adivasi residents of Etapalli in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district have been opposing the Surajgarh iron ore mining project for so long, according to Nagoti, himself a tribal from the Madia community and a resident of Gadchiroli.

Moreover, according to Nagoti, Adivasis from surrounding regions in Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and beyond gather at Surajgarh for Jathra celebrations during the first week of January every year.

Speaking to Santoshi Markam, Nagoti details the many adverse consequences that the mining project will have on the lives of the Adivasis living in the region and beyond and explains why the community has been opposing the project.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.