Human Rights Violations by Transnational Corporations in Goa and Chhattisgarh

Human Rights Violations by Transnational Corporations in Goa and Chhattisgarh
(Multiple excerpts taken from the book titled 'Human Rights Violations by Transnational Corporations in Goa & Chhattisgarh'. For the full contents of the book, kindly visit their website:

Source : http://www.hrln.org/hrln/reproductive-rights/laws-in-place/936.html

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Today, there exist 337 mining leases in Goa, 74 of which are 

currently operational, located in four main talukas Bicholim,

Satari, Sanguem and Quepem. Mining of iron ore accounts for

56 percent of total mining activity in Goa, and manganese for 38

percent of mining operations. The third major mineral of interest

in Goa is bauxite, the raw material for production of aluminium.....

In the financial year 2007-08, 14 percent of

the iron ore was exported to Japan. However, the largest

proportion of the ore export, 75 percent, was consumed by

China thus making it the largest market.3

Mineral export has remained the main source of foreign exchange 
earnings for Goa, along with tourism. Goan iron ore is 100 percent 
export-oriented. Geographically also, Goa has an ideal location 
for exports. Because, the state is coastal and its mass of linking
 tributaries and rivers allow transport of ore by barges, 
providing it a relatively cheap transport and thus easy to export....

The mining belt of Goa stretches upto 95 km out of the total

length of 150 km that Goa territory extends from north to

south, in effect dividing Goa into two parts – the West Coast

with its beautiful beaches for which Goa is so much famed, and

the East Coast, where few tourists bother to venture.....

In fact, Goa’s iron ore exports have grown considerably during

recent decades, rising from a paltry 4,36,400 tonnes in 1951

to 30 million tonnes in 2007-08.4

The state’s annual iron ore exports amount to one-quarter of
 India’s gross annual iron ore production. The majority of mining
 operations take place in the talukas Bicholim, Sattari, Sanguem 
and Quepem that account for an estimated 700 sq km of 
Goa’s 3,702 sq km total territory.5

The substantial increase in mining operation

has however, had a considerable negative impact on the local

environment; approximately 40-50 million tonnes of mining

waste is generated annually in the process of producing 15–

16 million tonnes of iron ore that causes the environmental

hazard.6......

Mining: The backbone of economy?

Mining has been widely filled as the backbone of Goa’s economy

by the mining companies and the government officials alike.

They claim that the mining industry contributes to growth and

development by bringing in money from foreign markets and

injecting it into the local economy by way of payment of wages

to workers, and also by way of levying various taxes relating

to mining, production and export by the state government.

But the mining royalty received by the state government was

a pittance — Rs 15 crore, Rs 18 crore and a little more than

Rs 17 crore respectively in 2002-02, 2003-03 and 2004-05.7

Revenues arising from mining thus account for a minuscule

portion of the state ́s total revenues — between 0.8 to 1

percent.8

While private miners are making windfall profits, the

government and the people of the state are getting none of it.

Employment

Mining activity is said to create employment opportunities.

Furthermore, the employment is for the people who are

unskilled labourers and who would otherwise be jobless. While

this is historically accurate, it is by no means a reliable source

of employment for the future. Although the mineral production

is increasing dramatically, it is also becoming increasingly

mechanised, thus declining the need of unskilled labours.

According to a CSE study, this is a trend seen all over the

world, including India....

These statistics show amply that the mining sector is also

not a source of sustainable employment which we can bank

on in future. Not only because technological advancement of

mining will displace the need for so many workers, but also

because creation of the mining employment is at the expense

of another form – farming which is often subsumed by mining

operations and, indeed, there is a prevailing viewpoint in the

mining industry that agricultural work yields less employment

than in the mining industry, because the landholding in Goa is

small, thus commercial crop production is not feasible. However,

at the end of the day, this viewpoint proves to be short-sighted,

asking people to give up a steady, sustainable livelihood in lieu

of momentary reward that will otherwise prove to be short-lived. 
Also, mining lease is only for a certain period of time.....

Environmental Effects

Acid-mine drainage: When earth is excavated to a great

depth that mining operations require, the chemical composition

of the soil is changed, due to the exposure to air. Sulphide

naturally occurs along with minerals deep below. In this state,

it does not pose a threat, but when oxygen and water are

provided, it reacts to produce sulphuric acid. When it rains the

sulphuric acid will drain along with the rainwater into lakes

and rivers running nearby. Acidification of water bodies would

inevitably have drastic effects on aquatic ecosystems, crops,

and for the people who are reliant on them. Even slight changes

in water pH levels can have signifi cant impacts on fish stocks

and other aquatic life. Production of sulphuric acid can happen

at the walls of the mining pit, within the overburden dumps,

within tailings deposits and also where the final-product ore 
is stockpiled. Thus, the combined effect of all these sites from

all the mines being operated in the state territory could be

catastrophic for the water bodies. It is also important to bear

in mind the special relationship of Goans with the sea and their

great reliance on the seafood, fish being the staple food of

the Goan diet. According to UNEP, acid mine drainage is the

number one environmental problem resulting from mining. It

is diffi cult to treat and once it has begun, it can continue for

centuries.12....

Siltation of water bodies and agricultural fields: Another

by-product of the process of mining is the creation of silt, a fine

dust that causes problems by settling in lakes and rivers and in

the fields of local farmers. This silt is not like ordinary dust, as

it originates from a layer of earth that lies deep below ground

level, the chemical make-up of this earth does not support life

and, therefore, when it settles in fields, it inhibits the growth of

trees and plant life. Siltation can also occur because of erosion

of hillsides that are exposed upon deforestation. It can also

occur at the dumps where overburden and tailings are kept.

Often these dumps are located on hillsides and during the

monsoon season, earth is washed into lakes, rivers and fields...

The Selaulim and Bicholim rivers have been visibly destroyed

by silt deposition. The Kushawati river faces siltation problems,

as also are the Zuari and Mandovi rivers. Siltation of water

bodies means there is a reduction of the water holding capacity

of that body which can cause floods. In September 2007,

Bicholim became flooded, resulting in an estimated loss of

rupees one crore.13.....

Many farmers in Goa have been affected by siltation of their

agricultural land. They have suffered decreases in agricultural

yields and even lost entire farmlands due to excessive siltation.

Drying up of water resources: Goa is blessed with an

abundance of water. It has an average 120 inches of rainfall

annually. However, these days people are experiencing acute

water shortages unknown to previous generations.

Parched agricultural fields can be seen as a grain reminder of

the loss of crops and livelihood of local farmers who are now

dependent on water tankers provided by mining companies

for the household needs. One such sorry example is village

Pissurlem in Sattari, now completely deprived of its natural

source of water. Undoubtedly, the question that remains is 
who whould supply water to them once the mining companies have

finished their operations. Whose responsibility would it be to

provide them with water?

Curse of illegal mining: The special geographical position of

Western Ghats is blessed with a multitude of endemic plants

and animal varieties. Due to this speciality, the area has been

celebrated as one of the 12 hotspots of biodiversity in the

world. The importance of such verdant places and requirement

for the conservation of flora and fauna has been recognised at

the international level, as well as by the Government of India.

However, such places also tend to be areas rich in minerals.

The result is that in spite of the fact that there are forest and

wildlife laws in place for protecting such forests, people resort

to illegal mining driven by greed for illicit proceeds. The racket

goes on due to the lack of adequate law enforcement that

prevails.

With the widespread clearance of vegetation cover by the illegal

miners of ore, storing of overburden and tailings, building of roads 
for transport, a havoc has been played with the local

ecosystem. The Cotigao, Netravali, Bhagwan Mahaveer,

Bondla and Mhadei wildlife sanctuaries are protected wildlife

sanctuaries which constitute a corridor in which the wild animals

may from about freely. However, illegal removal of forest cover,

a high decibel noise and air pollution in these areas of illicit

mining are causing an immense harm to the natural habitat of

flora and fauna, which has also affected the fine balance of the

whole ecosystem.

Local flora is immensely affected. By stripping the land of

vegetation cover in these areas, we may be losing many

herbal and medicinal plants. These plants hold cure for various

diseases that plague humankind, but once it is lost, it will be

lost for ever. Some medicinal plants have already been of great

importance to the local people, such as macaranga peltata

used to heal cuts.14 Healthcare provision for the village people

will also be affected by illegal removal of vegetation.

Health hazards

Member of the mining communities are also plagued by

numerous diseases, though any medical research in this area

is sorely lacking. Local people commonly complain of many

illnesses attributable to mining. A few mining-associated

illnesses are listed below.

Pulmonary diseases: Large clouds of dust are generated

that hover in the sky during the mining processes like drilling,

blasting, crushing of mineral rocks and transportation. Dust

clouds often settle as a thick coating on plants and on roads,
as well as remain suspended in the air. Inhalation of dust is

a common problem of mine workers engaged in open cast

mines and among the villagers living in vicinity. Respiratory

diseases are commonly found among them. People living in

highly dust-polluted areas, such as village Pissurlem, Sattari

complain of cough and cold that never gets cured (case 7).

Oral evidence suggests sinusitis is highly prevalent and maybe

even tuberculosis (case 4). Although a link between mining

community and pulmonary tuberculosis has not been proven,

an increased risk is known to exist where a person is already

suffering from the lung disease known as silicosis. Silicosis is

well-connected to mining activity and, in fact, is one of the

earliest known occupational diseases. It results from inhalation

of silicon dioxide, found abundantly in earth’s deeper crust,

that gets released into the air when mineral rock is crushed.

Silicosis is a dreadful health hazard responsible for the death

of thousands of miners each year. Common causes of death

among the sufferers of silicosis include pulmonary tuberculosis,

massive fibrosis resulting in complete loss of lung function,

emphysema and heart failure. Once the silicosis disease has

progressed, it is irreversible and incurable. As silicon dioxide is

invisible and can linger in the air for a long time, the number

of victims attracting illness is greatly increased. They have

an increased susceptibility to bronchitis, lung cancer and

tuberculosis.

Water contamination: Contamination of water is a constant

threat for people living near mining operations. Water poisoning

is caused by heavy metals and other hazardous substances

normally locked up in mineral rocks, if they reach waterbodies 
because of improper storage of waste. Contamination results

from the release of chemicals not naturally-occurring in process

of mining but rather by the extraneous chemicals used, such as

for beneficiation.

According to CSE report, the Zuari and Mandovi rivers carry

loads of arsenic contamination. Sample testing from both the

rivers revealed a heavy presence of arsenate. There was a

four-fold increase in the poisoning during monsoons. Levels

were highest when rainfall was at its maximum, indicating that

mining waste gets usually washed into these rivers, carrying

arsenic along with it.15

Local people dependent on the water tankers supplied by

mining companies have also to worry because the water being

supplied to them is directly from the mining pit, drawn as part

of their dewatering process, without being treated or purified

in anyway. This water containing a high sediment load is likely

to be highly contaminated, therefore, unsafe for drinking and

cooking.

Stress-induced alcoholism: An unfortunate social

phenomenon that presents itself in mining communities is an

increase in alcohol consumption. Oral evidence of a dramatic

increase in bars establishes a strong link with prevalence of

alcoholism in certain mining villages of Goa.16 However, an in-

depth study is needed on this matter.

A combination of factors may be responsible for high levels of

drinking. One such factor is that miners and truck drivers work 
under conditions that are highly stressful. Alcohol presents as

a helpful relaxant at the end of working day. Stress, along with

poor environmental conditions, may also be resulting in clinical

depression, which is still not a well-recognised illness in India.

Mining work is labour-intensive causing physical ailments and

aches. Often alcohol may be consumed medicinally, resulting

in alcohol-dependence.

Lack of road-safety

As wage payment to truck drivers transporting mineral ore is

based on the number of trips they make per day, they are

commonly known to drive at high speeds with complete

disregard to traffic rules. This makes road safety a problem,

particularly in mining areas, where the roads are small and

made of dirt. In November 2008, residents of village Ambaulim,

numbering about 500, blocked a street in protest against the

‘unregulated and haphazard’ speeding of mining trucks from

Sulcornem to Quepem through their villages. According to one

protestor, John Fernandes, the driving of vehicles is in 'a reckless

manner that flouts all traffic rules'.17 Residents of Quepem

and Curchorem also complain bitterly of overspeeding and

overloading of trucks, and of the risk to the school children.18

Also the pollution caused by the transportation of the mined

ore adds to their worry.

Human rights

Health and safety of mine workers: Mines Rules, 1955

created under Mines Act, 1952

Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961 provides for the

mandatory certification of the competence and fitness for the

managers of mines, mine engineers, supervisory staff, foremen

and surveyors. The regulation also prescribes the types of

mining plans, the types of survey and mining instruments to

be used, the equipment used for access and egress of workers

to the mines, transportation of men, minerals and other related

matters.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SESA GOA

IN ADVALPAL, BICHOLIM

Gaonkar Vaddo is located at village Advalpal, Bicholim.

Advalpal has a population of about 1,100 people most

of whom are farmers relying on paddy cultivation and forest

resources for their livelihood. The entire Advalpal village has

been affected by the Sesa Goa Mine, situated on a hill above

the Gaonkar area, for more than five decades.

The mine was stated in 1951 but was closed for 33 years from

1974 to 2007. The mining operations recommenced in 2007.

The iron ore mining has produced large mounds of mining

wastes and overburdens, which the company has dumped

on the surrounding hills. The local inhabitants allege that the

wastes and overburden have washed down into the Gaonkar

area contaminating the Advalpal water bodies ever since 1951

even during the mine's closure. More than 100 houses were

affected in the Poira area in Advalpal due to mining by Sesa

Goa.19 Mining silt from the Sesa Goa mine mixed with water

during heavy rains to flow down into the villager houses and

agricultural plots. Sesa company, however, explaned that the

wall enclosing the mining silt collapsed under impact of the

heavy rains. Later, the Bombay High Court instructed Sesa

Goa to stop dumping mining waste near Advalpal rivulet to

stop further fl ooding and the destruction of paddy fields.20 The

petition was filed by the Goa Foundation and residents of the

Advalpal village who were badly affected by the mining waste

dumping by Sesa.

An expert committee report disclosed that Sesa Goa had dumped

mining wastes right along the rivulet causing contamination

to the water bodies and local agriculture. With previous

environmental violations by the Sesa Goa Mine in the Advalpal

area, HRLN team investigated further into the violations in the

Gaonkar area of Advalpal during a fi eld research conducted in

July 2009. HRLN team also conducted interviews with the local

inhabitants, including a farmer Mr. D’Souza who has lived in

Advalpal since his birth. Mr. D’Souza, 54, is willing to provide

an affidavit against Sesa’s illegal operations.

Contamination of water bodies, paddy fields, fruit

trees, other local flora

The local inhabitants allege that the overburdens and wastes

from the mine have washed down resulting in contamination

of local water bodies. This has further contaminated the farm land, 
fruit trees and the forest fl ora. Mr. D’Souza said, during the 
mine's closure for 33-long years overburden washed

continuously into the paddy fi elds of the Advalpal villagers

decreasing their harvests. HRLN staff visited some of the

affected paddy fi elds which could not be cultivated due to

heavy mud and silt that had washed down from the mine.

The farmers solely relied on the paddy cultivation for their

livelihood, who now had been forced to work as labour in other

people’s fi elds to support their families .

Overburdens and wastes are parts of iron ore mining. To extract

one tonne of iron ore, an average of 2.5 – 3 tonnes of earth or

overburden is required to be removed.21 The Central Pollution

Control Board states, "Overburden is dumped generally within

the leasehold along the hill slopes, road sides and valleys of

surrounding mining areas... and normally are up to 30m height

because of non-availability of land."22

Thus under impact of heavy rains the overburden often washes

into local waterbodies and agricultural fields.

It is likely that the run-off from the overburden down the

mountain slopes into the Gaonkar area has been aggravated

by heavy monsoon during the season.

There is a considerable evidence to suggest that heavy rainfalls

increase the negative environmental impacts of iron ore mining.

The Comprehensive Industry Document on Iron ore mining by the 
Central Pollution Control Board of India23 states: "The single 
most important environmental aspect of mines is the surface 
run-off from various areas during monsoon, as most of the 
iron ore mines in India are located in hill tops with steep 
slopes and in dense forest areas, and sometimes in areas 
with high rainfall.

Surface run-off from the mining and other areas gets

laden with aluminous lateritic soil from mine benches,

exposed outcrops etc. As the iron ore contains only

traces of sulphur, the surface run-off water does not

get acidic, but become highly turbid due to loosening

of soils by the mining activities. Direct discharge of the

surface run-off to the natural nallahs will certainly affect the 
water quality of the nallahs as well as rivers in the region."

The above statement is supported by a recent study on the

ill-effects of mining in North Goa which found that "surface

run-offs from exposed mine surfaces, waste rock dumps and

pit de-watering posed significant problems during the rainy

season through erosion and suspended matter in the nearby

agricultural fields. The erosion and suspended matter causes

water silting and renders paddy fields barren, resulting in the

progressive destruction of farmlands."24

Iron ore mining also creates ‘silt’, a fine dust that settles on

lakes, rivers and fields ‘inhibiting the growth of trees and plant

life’.25 The TERI study (1997) found that of the 11.7 km long

waterbodies in the Advalpal area an estimated 1.35 km were 
affected by two pits and four mining dumps.26 The Advalpal

Sesa Goa Mine was closed down form 1974 to 2007, yet it

had been contributing ill-effects to the Advalpal water systems

since 1951 that were found in the TERI study.

The chemical and gas emissions resulting from iron mining can

also have a number of other negative environmental impacts

on agriculture, including acid rain. Inflammable gases and

sulphur dioxide caused by mining operations in dry conditions

can damage plants and leaves at distances of 100 and 200 km

from its source. In wet conditions, gases produced by mining

operations react with water creating sulphuric acid solutions

which often causes acid rain. The acid rain has the effect

of killing the bacteria in the soil which plants and crops rely

on to survive.27 According to a United Nations Environment

Programme (UNEP) report, acid mine drainage is the number

one environmental problem resulting from mining, it is diffi cult

to treat and it has long lasting effects on agriculture and

cultivation.28

During a visit to Advalpal in July 2009 the HRLN staff visited

several farming plots. HRLN team observed that the soil used

for farming was to be in a poor condition; the soil appeared to

have been fl ooded on which retreating waters have deposited

silt and mud, most possibly drawn from the overburden. As a

result, HRLN found the soil to be muddy and it was evident that

agriculture was near to being destroyed due to the unfavourable 
agricultural environment. Poor state of an agricultural fi eld was 
in a sharp contrast, HRLN staff observed, to the highly fertile

neighbouring paddy fi elds that were not affected by the mine.

HRLN also observed significant differences in condition of water

in two main rivers. Water in the river which had received run-off

from the overburden was considerably browner than another

which was uncontaminated. The statements made by the local

people along with the considerable body of research outlining

the impact of mining in areas such as Advalpal, and HRLN’s

own observations indicate that there is a high probability that

water, soil air and other natural resources have been severely

affected by the Sesa Mine, both while operational and close

down. Further research, including soil air and water testing is

warranted to ascertain full impact of mining in the area…..

Illness caused by mine dust

Mr. D’Souza also stated that he and other villagers had

experienced breathing problems and other associated

pulmonary illnesses. There is a considerable body of research

data indicating negative impacts of iron ore mining on

respiratory system and the human health in general. Mining

activities produce a variety of gases, dust and smoke that affect

both human health and agricultural growth. Atmospheric dust

particles serve as foci for bacteria to adhere to which can cause

tuberculosis and other infections upon prorogued inhalation.32

From previous research and the general acceptance that mining

affects one’s health, there is a large possibility that medical

testing of the people of Advalpal would reveal the negative

effects of the Sesa mine on the health of those living within a

certain radius around the mine.

Encroachment on land by Sesa Goa

A CSE report highlighted the fact that Goa’s Economic Survey

2005-06, reveals 2,66,000 square metres of government

land was illegally encroached on,33 whilst in 2008 the forest

department acknowledged that mines were in operation without

legally required clearances suggesting that land encroachment

in Goa is common. Mr. D’Souza also alleged that since the

time mine opened in 2007, Sesa had unlawfully grabbed land

belonging to the people of Gaonkar. These allegations will also

be investigated through the RTI application.

Claims of compensation

Mr. D’Souza and other farmers spoken to by HRLN staff stated

Advalpal villagers have been receiving compensation from Sesa

Goa since January 2008. Compensation was paid to about 500

villagers on villager’s ration cards. Mr. D’Souza claims he has

not received payment. He said the payments have varied from

Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 5,000 yet many farmers not receiving any

compensation at all.

HRLN's role

An RTI application was drafted regarding the land and

environment issues and the claims made by Mr. D’Souza. HRLN

is gathering additional information regarding encroachment on

the village land as claimed by Mr. D’Souza before fi ling the RTI

application. Also, HRLN organised a meeting with inhabitants

of Gaonkar village to discuss potential avenues to litigation.

Upon receiving answer to the RTI application, HRLN will focus

on breaches of planning and environmental laws and violations

of human rights law. If appropriate, HRLN will further discuss

with Mr. D’Souza and arrange for a further meeting with Advalpal

inhabitants to decide a course of action and the possibility of a

litigation against Sesa Goa.

Potential Impact of Litigation

 Relief for those affected in the Gaonkar area and possibly

others in Advalpal.

 Compensation to the affected farmers and possible

rehabilitation of the paddy fields rendered barren due to

mining operations.

 Making sure a secure waste management scheme.

 Pending an adverse judgement against Vedanta,

international and national media efforts could be used to

publicise the company’s environmental laws and human

rights violations.

CASE STUDIES

The following are fi rst-hand accounts of the problems faced

by some of the unfortunate sufferers living in two selected

mining communities of Goa:

CASE 1

Milagres Antao,  Collomb, Sanguem

Mrs. Antao is a resident of village Collomb where there are

three iron ore mines. She complained the water shortage

problems her family was experiencing. The natural water

spring at the village, which was previously perennial, has now

dried up. A nearby well which is shared by a few households

is now less than half a metre deep whereas earlier (November

2008) its water level had a depth of one metre. Mrs. Antao

also complained that the water which they now take from a

nearby lake is dirty. When they use this water for showering

they receive scratches on their skin.

CASE 2

Rajnikant Velip Collomb, Sanguem

Mr. Velip is also a resident of Collomb. He is a farmer of rice

paddy and has two family homes near a Fomento Mine. He

complained that blasting in the mine began in December 2006

and it produced large cracks in one of these houses which is

kuchcha. When he approached the mine manager to complain

about this, Mr. Velip was given assurances of compensation,

however, no compensation was given. He was later forced to

take the matter to court and the case is still pending. Meanwhile,

Mr. Velip states that the mining company has in retaliation,

brought a case contending that the land on which their other

house stands falls under their mining lease area. Though he

adamantly states that it does not. He says those running the

mining company became angry when he approached the

court. He also said the mine manager told Mr. Velip they would

pay compensation only if he kept good friendship with them.

However, Mr. Velip would not be satisfi ed with compensation.

He wants the mine closed down. He complains that the nearby

fi elds where his rice paddy is growing, along with that of other

farmers, are drying up. Compensation is no good as the money

will at some point run out. What he needs is livelihood, for

himself and for his children in the future, just as his parents

had had in the past. The water level of their household well

has also fallen signifi cantly. It is expected to dry up soon.

The mining company has however, intimated that they would

supply water in tankers but Mr. Velip does not see this as a

viable option. The tankers cannot reach that far as road access

would be inadequate and naturally he does not want to be 
dependent on supply by the company tankers. He does not 
know how much reliable they would actually be. "Sometimes

their tankers come, sometimes won’t."

CASE 3

Phandari Velip, Collomb, Sanguem

Mr. Phandari Velip also is a resident of Collomb and a farmer of

rice paddy. His fi elds lie along with 80 or so other farmers at

the foot of the same Fomento mine. He stated the water that

naturally fl owed into their irrigated fields is expected to last

only another one to two weeks. At the time of visit they had

irrigated fields with the water collected from a nearby spring,

but the water level there is down. It is expected that this

sprint too will run out by next year and then will follow a big

water problem. Furthermore, their collective agricultural land

is subject to the Fomento mining lease as well. The mining

company had previously planned to store overburden on the

side of the mountain close to their fi elds. However, owing to

the protests by farmers, overburden storage was shifted to

the other side of the mountain. But Mr. Velip laments that

the mining company has already obtained permission to use

these agricultural fi elds for their storage purposes and it is

only a matter of time before the company acts. When it does,

cultivations of all 80 farmers will be subsumed. Mr. Velip laments

that there has recently been a decrease in the yield from the

lands and the mining company who has been informed of this

problem offered a meagre compensation of Rs 1 per square

metre of crops, per season. Twenty or so farmers have already

submitted to this offer.

CASE 4

Uday Parap Gaonkar wada, Mulgao, Bicholim

Mr. Parap is a newspaper reporter by profession. In speaking

of his village with one iron ore mine, he says the main

employment in the area is in mining and the main problem

in the area is unemployment. People have almost completely

stopped agricultural operations, he says, because siltation from

mining has rendered the land barren. Though there is no water

shortage yet where he lives, it is expected very soon. Lack of

education is also a problem in the area and literacy is low. Mr.

Parap also said the incidence of tuberculosis is in the area is

high. Although no one admits to being affected because of the

stigma associated with having the disease, people are informed

when visiting their family doctor that the ailment exists. Mr.

Parap said his doctor informed him about 5-10 percent of the

inhabitants suffer from tuberculosis in the area.

CASE 5

Shyambha Reaghlo Gawade Dhohlka wada, Pissurlem

Mr. Shyambha Gawade, aged 102 years, is the oldest man in

his locality. He tells how he used to be a farmer of rice paddy.

His farms now lie idle, as siltation and lack of water have put

a stop to cultivation. He recalls how a fl ood in 2000 resulted

in heavy siltation in his paddy fi eld. Mining activity has been in

the area for the past 50 years and for the past ten years there

has been no agriculture, the period has seen an increase in

pollution he says, because of the increased use of machinery.

Unemployment has also increased due to an increasing reliance

by miners’ on machinery, instead of manpower. In the same 
household Mrs. Sumita Ajod Gawade, mother of two, speaks 
of her five-year old daughter who she constantly suffers from

cough, cold and from sinus problems. This ailment is suffered

in almost every household in the village.

CASE 6

Santosh Pandurang Gawade Dhohlka wada, Pissurlem

Mr. Santosh Gawade works for daily wages. Just 50-100 metres

from where he and his family live, there stand two overburden

dumps, one on either side. Members of his household suffer

from persistent cough and cold. Standard of living and health

of the area have been adversely affected due to mining. In

the nearby Devul Wada, on demand by the people, mining

companies have started keeping a doctor at the local dispensary

twice a day for check-ups, but not here. As groundwater has

run dry in the area owing to the mining, it is supplied to the

local inhabitants by mining companies in tankers and Mr.

Gawade expresses his concern over the safety of this water for

purpose of consumption, as he says it is the same water that

they pump out when it collects in the mining pits at crossing

below the water table. This water, which is supplied without

being purified, may contain heavy metals and chemicals which

are unsafe for consumption. Mr. Gawade says many complaints

on various related matters are made to the Panchayat, but

they do not take any action.

CASE 7

Yeshodi Yashwant Gawade Dhohlka wada, Pissurlem

Mrs. Yeshodi Gawade also suffers from constant cough, cold

and tremors. Her son, a mining truck driver also suffers from 
frequent coughs and colds. She tells how she wrote to the 
Mamladar four times about siltation in her paddyfi eld, the 
last time being about six months back. No action has been taken

by the Mamladar. She is not being compensated while her

paddy fi eld has been destroyed. Mrs. Gawade also mentioned

the havoc alcohol consumption has wreaked in the area.

The main cause of death for males aged 18-35 in the area

is attributable to liquor consumption, she says. It is common

for the men involved in mining to start consuming alcohol for

medicinal purposes as well as to unwind from the stressful

working conditions. Subsequent alcohol dependence and its

various ill-effects are visible in the village. It may be only one

person in the house who drinks liquor, Mrs. Gawade says, but

the liquor affects the whole family.

Sources:

 Ministry of Mines website: http://mines.nic.in/minleg.html

 Govt. of India/Goa websites directory: http://goidirectory.gov.

in/goa.html

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