“Given the topography of the region, any exploitation of mineral wealth here will have a direct impact on forest resources and local ecology”, says the 6th State of India’s Environment Report.

The hands-off approach of the Meghalaya government towards the state’s rat-hole coal mines is fuelling destruction of forests, farmlands, biodiversity and water sources in the state: say the writers of “Rich Lands, Poor People — Is Sustainable Mining Possible? ”. This is the title of the latest publication from New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) — its 356-page 6th State of India’s Environment Report – which was released on October 20 by Meghalaya governor R S Mooshahary in
Shillong.

The release was followed by a panel discussion; the panelists included Manas Choudhury, minister-education (higher and technical); R Chatterjee, chief secretary, government of Meghalaya; Shivesh Sinha, development director-Asia, Lafarge Ltd; Samuel B Jyrwa, president, Khasi Student’s Union; and Sunita Narain, director, CSE.

The report paints a horrific picture of the devastation that has been wrought by mining in the country.

“The result of this large-scale ravaging of natural resources is emerging in the form of growing conflicts in India’s mining zones. A large part of these zones is in the grip of Naxalism: 40 per cent of the mineral-rich districts in the top six mineral-producing states are affected by the movement, which is opposing the lopsided ‘development’ mining brings in.” said Sunita Narain, director, CSE, speaking at the release function.

The CSE report points out that mining cannot be sustainable or truly environment-friendly: one, because all ore bodies are finite and non-renewable and two, because even the best managed mines leave “environmental footprints”. But it also concedes that mining and minerals are necessary. Adds Chandra Bhushan: