Minerals found in Odisha are both metallic and non-metallic types. They are influenced by ecological system of a zone or region, where their concentration is found. They are natural substances and are organic in nature.
The coastal provinces of India especially the Eastern Ghat and Western Ghat areas are very rich in different kinds of minerals. The tropical and sub-tropical regions of India are very rich in different kinds of mines.
The soil profile also influences mineral deposits of an area. A variety of ecological systems are seen in the tropical and sub- tropical regions. Because of various soil conditions and factors noticed in tropical and sub- tropical zones, a wide varieties of plant and animal species are also found there. Odisha is very rich in plant and animal species. Also it is gifted with many mineral deposits. The adjoining States like Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh too are mineral rich. Though politically these States are different, ecologically, they have much in common.
Broadly, plants like ever green, semi ever green, miscellaneous, deciduous and bamboo forests are found in the region. Similarly, ever green eco-system of estuarine land and casuarinas of coastal sand are noticed in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Common flora and fauna are found in the region too.
In Odisha, natural fuel like coal with metallic minerals like iron ore, manganese, chromite, bauxite, lead and zinc etc are found widely in the forest blocks. There are various non-metallic minerals like lime stone, fire clay, graphite china clay, quartzite and dolomite found also. The forest atlas of Odisha is composed on the basis of various eco–systems and soil profile of the State.
Generally, the forest areas of the State, including the revenue land, contain the mineral deposits, where various plant species of high commercial value are found. The soil profile of a land or a region is formed through a process of geo-biological and climatic actions of long years. Once the natural character of a soil is spoiled, the natural vegetative complex of that region is also damaged. Destruction of soil profile includes destroying structure, texture and crop sustaining value of land. Unfortunately, now, the whole naturally built bio complexes of Odisha and the adjoining States are either totally damaged or destroyed due to indiscriminate extraction of minerals.
There are various laws to protect the environment like the Orissa Forest Act, 1972 and the Wild life (protection) Act, 1972, the Environment (protection) Act, 1986, the Forest (conservation) Act, 1980, the Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1974, The Air (prevention and control of pollution)Act, 1981 and rules, 1983.
Other than these State and national laws, international conventions like the Stockholm declaration on environment, 1972, the Rio declaration on environment and development, 1992, the convention on climate change, 1992 and the convention on biological diversity, 1992 are there. But all these acts, rules and conventions are not properly implemented in the forest tracks of Odisha, where mining is done.
There are also various Government organisations to look in to the smooth management of local environment. Similarly, the Rights of the Tribals and other Forest Dwellers Act has been made a farce. In spite of all these laws and several institutions to ensure that the laws are properly in force, clandestine mining operations are going on scot free in Odisha often compromising with the environment safety. If the State Revenue, Police, Mining, Forest, Road Transport and Environment authorities were vigilant, such large scale mining loot could never be possible.
As seen from the report of Justice Saha Commission, of the192 iron and manganese live mines in the State, 94 were operated without environmental clearance. Again 75 mining lessees extracted minerals more than the permissible limits without the very knowledge of the concerned officials. Similarly, the panel reported that 56 mining leases were in operation close to wild life zones without mandatory clearances. The Saha commission report says that around 55 water bodies have been polluted for such illegal mining operations. The panel has held both the Centre and the State responsible for the large scale lapses at various levels that paved way for the mining loot.
It has indicted the Forest and Environment, the Mining, the Revenue, the Transport and police as responsible for an administrative debacle. Most painful is the blatant violation of the rights of the tribals and glossing over of the issue of their sustainability when the authorities allowed vast tracts of trees to be felled and mining carried on there. The symbiotic relationship of the tribals with their forest land never bothered anyone.
Tribals are associated with the forest in many ways. Their lives are impossible without forests and hills. Socially, economically and culturally, they are closely tied up with the green hilly tracks.
Tribal festivals like Parba, Chaiti, Sargifula and Kureifula etc observed during winter by the tribals celebrate nature. Sargi stand for Sal tree and Sargiful for Sal flower. Similarly, Kurei is an associate tree of Sal. The tribals irrespective of clans worship trees when they are in full blooms. This is the time when they celebrate the profundity of nature. Harvest season also is an occasion of dancing and merrymaking for the tribals.
We have done grave injustice to the tribals and their culture by destroying their habitats through mining and mineral loot. There should be proper investigation into the whole hush-hush exercise so that culprits are brought
to book.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist)