The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based nonprofit think tank, analysed the situation in mining-affected areas in Sundargarh district to identify issues where the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds can be spent.
The findings and recommendations were shared with the district Collector of Sundargarh and project management units (PMU) members.
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 kilometres from the mines, as the effects of mining reach much beyond. For an example, pollution in the Bramhani river due to mining activities affects the distant downstream areas.
They also pointed that some areas in the district where mining is happening have not currently been included as “affected areas”. Hence, those areas need to be announced “affected areas” to ensure that due benefits reach concerned communities.
People insisted that the district builds capacity at all levels to ensure effective investments and planning of DMF funds. Odisha is currently the top state in terms of DMF accruals. More than 3,500 crore has been collected under DMFs in the State by now. Sundargarh alone contributes more than Rs 650 crore. The district has estimated to receive Rs 400 crore every year.
“DMF is a huge opportunity to address some of the fundamental issues that must be provided for people affected by mining operations. 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 like clean drinking water, nutrition support, healthcare, education, employment and livelihood,” said Banerjee.
The findings of the CSE include problems like severe pollution, water scarcity and malnutrition persisting in mining-affected areas. In rural areas, under 5 mortality rate is 57, far over the year 2030’ target of 25. Besides, people are being affected with respiratory and water-borne diseases and TB.
Deficit of doctors, nurses, medical technicians a key challenge. Only, 50 per cent of doctors and health technicians are on the job now. Only five per cent of villages have PHCs with 5 km radius.
These being findings, the CSE has recommended that DMF be invested on nutrition, public health, education, employment, livelihood and clean drinking water supply programmes, said Banerjee.