CSE releases mining and environment report in Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug.5 : The New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released its report on mining, people and environment here on Monday.

The CSE's sixth State of India's Environment Report, which deals with mining in India, says that Karnataka gains very little from mining. The report highlights the environmental footprints of mining in Indian states, including Karnataka and also suggests policies for the future.

Talking to ANI after releasing the report, CSE Director Sunitha Narain disputed the contention that mining is essential for 'growth or employment'.

The highlights of the report are as follows:

·Between 1950 and 1991, mining displaced about 2.6 million people - not even 25 per cent of these displaced have been rehabilitated. About 52 per cent of these displaced were tribals.

·* For every 1 per cent that mining contributes to India's GDP, it displaces 3-4 times more people than all the development projects put together.

·Forestland diversion for mining has been going up. So has water use and air pollution in the mining hotspots. An estimated 1.64 lakh hectare of forestland has already been diverted for mining in the country. Iron ore mining in India used up 77 million tonne of water in 2005-06, enough to meet the daily water needs of more than 3 million people.

·Mining of major minerals generated about 1.84 billion tonne of waste in 2006 - most of which has not been disposed off properly.

ANI