The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based nonprofit think tank, has analysed the situation of mining-affected areas in Sundargarh district to identify issues where the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds can be spent and planned for. The findings and recommendations were shared with the district Collector of Sundargarh and PMU members. In a public meeting on January 18 held in the district’s most mining-affected Koida block, the CSE team also interacted with more than 50 panchayati raj institution (PRI) members from Koida and lahunipara blocks. The block chairperson of Koida was also present at the meeting. On January 19, the findings were also shared with about 40 people from various civil society organizations and PRI members in a meeting in Rourkela.
The block chairpersons of Nuagaon and Kuanrmunda blocks were also present at the meeting.
The details were also briefed to the mediapersons through a video presentation here on Friday last.
According to CSE programme manager Srestha Banerjee, the report is based on the assessment of official district data as well as a one-month ground survey that CSE did. During ground surveys, the PRI members raised crucial issues regarding identification of “mining affected areas” and insisted that the district looks beyond the current criteria of only including villages within 10 km from the mines, as the effects of mining reach much beyond. For example, the upstream pollution of the Bramhani river, a key water body in the district, due to mining also affects the agriculture and clean drinking water need in the areas falling around the downstream flow of the river.
They also pointed that some areas in the district where mining is happening have not currently been included as “affected areas”. Hence, the district needs to re-look and re-assess the “affected areas” to ensure that due benefits reach the affected communities.
People attending the meeting also raised concerns over lack of proper planning and use of DMF funds, insisting that capacity building must be made at all levels to ensure effective investments and planning.
Odisha is currently the top State in terms of DMF accruals. As per latest estimates, more than Rs 3,500 crore has been collected under DMFs in the State. Sundargarh has one of the largest shares of DMF funds, where the current collection is more than Rs 650 crore.
Additionally, the district estimates to receive Rs 400 crore every year, in the coming years. “The DMF is a huge opportunity to address some of the fundamental issues that must be provided for the projectn affected. For a district like Sundargarh which has a majority tribal population living in the most distressed parts, the money needs to be spent on their needs. Some key issues are clean drinking water, n nutrition support, affordable and quality public healthcare, education, employment and livelihood. The money can be used to work on these through immediate and long term investments,” said Banerjee.
However, almost after 3 years of DMF coming into effect in 2015, the knowledge of PRI members and people of mining-affected areas of Koida and lahunipada about DMF is extremely poor. This is despite the fact that the DMF law clearly specifies the roles of gram sabhas, particularly in Scheduled Areas, for identifying beneficiaries,participating in DMF planning and monitoring. The block chairperson
has attended one DMF meeting last March so far, informed Banerjee.
Findings of CSE on main problems of mining-affected areas are heavy environmental pollution and water distress, lack of clean and adequate water, malnutrition, severe health problems, particularly respiratory and water-borne diseases, TB, and deficit of doctors, nurses, medical technicians etc.
There is a shortfall of 50 per cent doctors and health technicians. Besides, in all mining-affected areas, both health sub centres and PHCs are serving 1.5 times their capacity. The challenge is also with their access. Only 5 per cent of villages have PHCs with 5 km radius. Poor level of education in secondary and higher secondary, high proportion of non-workers and poor earnings also are a few other problems.
In this context, the CSE recommends that the DMF in Sundargarh should invest on over the next three years in areas like nutrition, public health, education, employment, livelihood and clean drinking water, opined Banerjee.