Mining in Goa - Boon or Bane?

Very few of us are aware that Goa is one of the largest exporters of iron ore in India, mostly to the new pig iron plants that have been setup in China. This has resulted in a huge economic boom for the state, but at a very dear cost to its fragile ecology and residents.

Goa is well known on the tourist circuit, and hardly a handful of the tourists ever wander the hinterlands of the region. Forget about tourists, I wonder how many Goans have actually witnessed the scars that have been caused by the open pit mines affecting the 5 talukas of Sanguem, Sattari, Bicholim, Ponda and Quepem. As per records, nearly 70 legitimate mines operate in these areas, and scores of other mines are operated illegally. Most of the mines are operated without giving a damn to the existing environmental norms. An estimated 60,000 tonnes of mud, silt and sludge goes into the 2 main rivers of Goa. How long will it take for these rivers to die out?

The government itself is flouting laws by giving new mining leases in forest areas, including inside wildlife sanctuaries. In 2003, the supreme court ordered closure of mining in these wildlife sanctuaries. The fallout of this was that, while we were supposed to have new wildlife sanctuaries in the state, it was not to be so that these illegal mines can carry out their nefarious work. Forests and hills have been cut down to make way for mines in places like Morpirla. Historical sites have been removed from archeological registers for the same reason.

People who are in favour of mining talk about the economic implications of closing of mines. A visitor to Sanvordem (the place I belong to) will see a staggering number of trucks parked outside most of the homes. Also, many people from these areas are employed in the mines. But the same visitor can also not ignore the ecological implications that are there for everyone to see. The roads are dusty, the leaves are coated with a reddish hue, and the air is heavily polluted with the ore particles. No wonder, the number of lung-related diseases is very high and respiratory problems are on the rise. Nearly 5000 trucks ply on the roads at break neck speed leading to increased noise pollution. We have also witnessed related law and order problems. Recently, some trucks were damaged by a few envious individuals who had bought new trucks but couldn't get these hired in the mines. Some RTO officials were roughed up for giving challaan for overspeeding. I wonder what we will get to see next.

Villages near the mines have been worst affected. The traditional means of livelihood have been destroyed. The mine sludge is poured into their fields overnight destroying their crops. The water level has decreased alarmingly, and the wells dry up by February...something which we never experienced in the whole of Goa a few years before. With no agriculture, these folks are left with nothing else but to take temporary jobs elsewhere. The once proud people have been reduced to the level of slaves. And if they ever try to protest, the state machinery in cohorts with the mine lobby, brutally suppress them, not even leaving out old folk and children. Why don't we hear of all this in the press? How will you when most of the newspapers in the state are owned by these same oppressors!!!

My granny's house in right next to the Zuari river in Sanvordem. Loading of ore on barges takes place nearby. My grandfather used to tell me tales of how they used to go out in boats and have fun in these waters. About how the place was covered with trees and shrubs. About how they used to fish in the river. About how the nearby woods were so thickly forested that there were tigers about. And how, a long time ago, tigers used to roam in the markets of Sanvordem at night once in a while. I envy him for the type of life he experienced and could proudly tell us all these tales. And I feel sorry for myself that I will not be able to tell similar stories to my grandchildren!!!