Protection of Natural Resources, People’s Livelihoods and Empowerment of Gram Sabhas

Updates from conference call on Feb 24th 2013

Updates on the Illegal Mining Crackdown

SPS has been pursuing the PIL in the Supreme Court. (March 28th 2013 report- „Final submission filed in illegal mining case‟) Growing awareness about illegal mining.

Janardhana Reddy and mining company/forest department officials found guilty have been imprisoned.

50 lakh tons of iron ore intended for illegal export seized in Uttara Kannada district. 7 lakh tons were stolen, but Rs. 1,000 crore recovered. ~120 people indicted.

Jan 17th 2013 – SPS organised a jatha (march) from Uttara Kannada to Bellary, inaugurated by S.P. Shukla (retd. IAS).

Report by Cerana Foundation in Hyderabad on environmental impacts of mining (damages in Sandur taluk assessed). Carcinogenic dust, pollution of water bodies... Jan 6th 2013 report: „CAG upholds report on impact of mining on environment in Bellary‟.

Updates on the Illegal Mining Crackdown (cont.)

Supreme Court‟s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) investigated acreage encroached and other illegalities (such as cheating in getting leases, illegalities in transporting ore to ports).

Some mines re-opened in Sep 2012, closed in Oct. 6 mines allowed to operate, then 3 more. 126 mines were demarcated- 41 in Cat. A (minor irregularities), 49 in Cat. C (gross illegalities- will not be opened). Cat. B under investigation, conditional re-opening. See reports:

Supreme Court orders closure of 49 illegal mines

Indian Court Eases Mining Ban

CEC and monitoring committee to check on progress of reclamation and rehabilitation plans prepared by ICFRE. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bellary has been involved with reviving agricultural work.

State Legislative Assembly elections coming up.

“SPS‟s work is going to increase exponentially.” Some funds provided by well-wishers in the US.

Prevention, Reclamation & Rehabilitation

What checks and balances are in place to prevent future illegalities?

Feb 2013 – Karnataka Mines Secretary exonerated Varalakshmi co. Deputy Commissioner in Bellary wrote a strong letter in response.

Supreme Court has been strongly behind the case so far. Not sure if this will continue to be the case after final hearing.

What rehabilitation is being carried out?

“Polluter Pays” has been upheld.

Job generation – building retaining walls, check dams, gully plugging to prevent water body pollution.

Grasses + forest are recovering, agriculture has improved.

Pressure from the Court for formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle to disburse Rs. 30,000 crore over 30 years (15% of proceeds from sale of existing stock).

Prevention, Reclamation & Rehabilitation (cont.)

Some local monitoring committees have been formed- idea dating back from time SPS was involved in tackling pollution of Tunghabhadra.

ICFRE plans do not cover livelihoods and health.

Conference by Centre for Science and Environment coming up.

Plan to involve CSE to further understand impacts of mining. Objective is to empower communities to protest in an informed an effective manner.

Greater Vijayanagar Urban Development Plan – POSCO, Arcelor-Mittal waiting in the wings.

News from the Ground

Mining has been stopped for one and a half years.

Agriculture and animal husbandry have been re-started, grass is growing.

There is concern about what will happen if mining restarts.

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People have started taking up NREGA work, mostly related to bringing back forest cover.

SPS is trying to get more people involved. Conducting trainings, explaining the process.

Those who migrated to Karnataka to work in mines had to move back and are thinking twice before migrating back as mines re-start.

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Need to improve roads in villages (badly damaged by truck passage).

R&R plan suggests separate bypass road construction.

News from the Ground (cont.)

SPS + communities have been protesting transfer of good people.

Santhosh Hegde + IAC have enthused people.

Workshop conducted for college students.

Women‟s yojanas – access to loans.

Local youth groups – try to involve in larger protests, talk every 2 months.

Working with Committee for Protection of Natural Resources at taluk level.

No political problems so far. In fact, people more welcoming during jathas.

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Mining paid more than NREGA. (Rs. 500-600/day vs. Rs. 150/day)

But legal business has lower profits- waiting to see how this plays out.

Often, men used to drink etc. and take home only ~ Rs. 200.

If companies implement R&R plans as specified, cost may be so high that some Cat. B mines may not re-open.