Minerals

This report by the Task Force, constituted by the Planning Commission, Government of India in April, 2008, is an outcome of the need expressed by the Prime Minister of India for a fresh analysis of the problems of the hill states and hill areas of the country in a manner that suggests that these areas do not suffer in any way on account of their peculiarities.

Opinions have been expressed that the pace of development of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) has been slow when compared to the rest of the country. At the same time, its fragile nature and difficulty of taking up conventional development initiatives has not been appreciated. In this report, arguments have been presented recommending reshaping of policies to bring in the “mountain perspective” for the IHR, in the national planning. Emphasis has also been laid on developing norms for good governance and for harnessing social capital at the grassroots.

Read More

This presentation by ACWADAM deals with the three basic types of rocks that are found in nature – igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Rocks are classified on the basis of minerals & chemical composition, by texture and by the processes that formed them.Read More

Goa is the second smallest state in India, with a total land mass of 3702 sq kms, and is one of the world's 12 bio-diversity hot-spots. While the largest industry is Tourism, conversely the second largest is mining. 8% of this state’s land is already under mining, mostly for iron ore, which is largely exported to China. Iron ore exports from Goa increased from 229,42,000 tons (Rs. 4645 crores) to 247,17,000 tons (Rs. 6117 crores) in 2004-05, and to 253,14,000 tons (Rs. 17719 crores) in 2005-06.

Illegal and environmentally immoral mining for iron ore is ravaging Goa, and neo-liberal economic policy and global trade is guaranteeing its destruction. A draft mining policy that has been introduced in the Goa Legislative Assembly in 2008,  gives lifelong leases to some of the mining companies, and slowly but surely, paves way for the complete destruction of Goa.

Opposition from citizens to this unregulated industry is increasing, and clashes between locals, police and security officers of the mining companies are on the rise.

This documentary explores the impact of mining on Goa’s environment from the perspective of its citizens.

To follow and support this anti-mining agitation, please visit the website of MAND Adivasi Rights Research and Resource Centre, or email Kurush at kurush.canteenwala@gmail.com.