Vowing to intensify their agitation against bauxite mining the Opposition TD launch-ed padayatra in this Agen-cy mandal here on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, the TD district unit president, Mr Bandaru Satyanrayana Murthy, alleged that the Congress government was diluting the rights of the tribals under the 1/70 Act. "The Congress government is not at all bothered about the welfare of the tribals. Giving permissions to mine bauxite in scheduled areas of Vizag Agency is gross violation of the 1/70 Act. Besides, mining would spell doom to the surrounding environment. Entire Agency will turn desert if the mining begins. There will be large-scale displacement of native tribals. They will lose their livelihood,' he said. Mr Murthy alleged the Congress government was trying to amend the tribal acts to suit their needs, which will be the threat to the lives of tribals who were dependent on forests. He also came down heavily upon the Congressmen belonging to the Agency areas who were neglecting the tribals and working in the interests of the party. The former TD MLA from S.Kota, Ms Shobha Hymavathi, said the earlier TD government stepped back from the mining proposal after the public outcry. The TD leaders will tour about 45 hamlets in the Araku and Anantagiri during the four-day padayatra and create an awareness among the tribals about the ill affects of the mining.