People pay heavy price for mining benefits-HERALD

People pay heavy price for mining benefits October 14, 2012 TEAM HERALD teamherald@herald-goa.com PANJIM: Even though it may be liberally presumed that a large cross section of people from four talukas, dominated by mining activities, benefited immensely in economic terms, the extent of mining pollution, devastation and social costs people have to pay cannot be brushed aside as a figment of imagination of green activists. ">Environmentalists have highlighted ecological degradation caused due to incessant and unchecked mining, yet the most severe impact of mining – the dust pollution – has gone unchecked and its impact on the health of the people has not even been studied. “Health of the people residing in areas exposed to mining dust pollution has been under threat, yet there is no study or research that has been undertaken by any of the government departments,” says green activist Ramesh Gauns. Indeed, neither the Directorate of Health nor Goa Medical College, has conducted any study till date to find out if more cases of respiratory diseases have been reported from talukas with heavy concentration of mining activities. A senior doctor attached to a government hospital, revealed that more cases of tuberculosis are reported from mining belt, compared to other areas, though specific data has not been compiled. A GMC doctor said working in the mines can be an occupational hazard which needs to be carefully monitored. “Constant exposure to dust particles can lead to pneumonitis which is a term used for a group of disorders caused by the inhalation and retention of dust particles. It may trigger an immune response leading to fibrosis or scarring of the lung tissue. It can also lead to Emphysema due to over inflation of the lungs due to breakdown of the walls of the alveoli. Chronic bronchitis can also result from constant inhalation of mining dust leading to breathlessness and chronic cough," he said, emphasizing the need for research in this area. Though Regional Plan 2021 has noted 22,000 cases of acute respiratory problems – it cannot be attributed to dust pollution alone as the figure is not area specific. Only study that’s available till date is that conducted by Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) some five year ago which found that pollution in mining regions has had adverse health impact on the population. TERI study revealed that air pollution is one of the major environmental hazards related to mining and associated activities. TERI took study samples from villages of Pilgao, Surla, Pale, Pissurlem, Sanvordem, Codli–Kiriapal, Curchorem and Rivona and came to the conclusion that air pollution caused by mining and allied activities was a major cause of ill health within mining dependent communities. A social activist pointed out that since TERI conducted its study some years ago, mining in Goa has increased manifold and that itself makes a strong case for assumption that the level of mining dust pollution have gone up. Seby Rodrigues, a social activist working in the mining belt for quite some time now, says there are no people who are not affected by dust pollution caused by mining but they are quiet because mining companies have bought their silence. “They are paid to keep mum,” says Rodrigues. It took over a decade for people of Curchorem to get State agencies to act to contain dust pollution caused by unloading and reloading of mineral ore at Curchorem railway yard. While some pollution measures have been undertaken, a permanent solution is awaited. The rail terminal has been planned for Southern Western Railways at Shelvona so that four rail lines currently dedicated to handling of iron ore at Curchorem railway yard, are relocated at the new yard. Current ban on mining operations though has stopped dust pollution, but long term measures are warranted before mining activities are resumed. The government also needs to initiate construction of mining corridor, it had committed to build, to divert mining traffic away from residential areas. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Main%20Page%20News/People-pay-heavy-price-for-mining-benefits/65623.html