Essay – Should a Moratorium be Imposed on Fresh Mining in Tribal Areas of the Country?
Should a Moratorium be Imposed on Fresh Mining in Tribal Areas of the Country? Essay: The economy of India had drastically been reduced to a bleak 2% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product after the departure of the British Colonial rulers on 15 august 1945. The inadequacy of industries and the majority of the population which accounts for 65% were forced to live in a state of poverty. India resorted to a mixed economy of natural resource-based industries along with the agricultural sector. Despite being a nation rich in mineral resources, India’s predicament is that most of the coal and hydrocarbon resources are found in the tribal belts of India in the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Discussion
The increase in demand for electricity accounted for 13.8%, approximately 112.81 billion units in November 2022 and automobiles and 11.3%, approximately 3,276,677 units put unprecedented pressure on the mining of iron ores and Bauxite. As such, the mining of non-renewable minerals like coal and other hydrocarbons is the pillar of the manufacturing industry in India. The problems of mining for natural resources in India lies in the fact that almost 80% of the resources are in the Tribal dominated areas of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. The ‘Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 has imposed a moratorium on mining activities in the Tribal belts on the grounds that the Tribal community is regarded as the original “occupier of the surface of the lands.” As such they are entitled to use it as their resource of sustenance rather than permitting mining activities on it, which will leave the ground infertile for agriculture. Mining activities render the land toxic due to the excess use of arsenic, and sulfur. Rehabilitation is an extensive and complicated process that disturbs the entire ecology by altering the way of tribal life as most of the tribal clans are not included in the tribal policies. The principal tribal clan of Chattisgarh, AmatGond, consider the mineral-rich land not only a source of subsistence but of religious significance as well. Their identity is inextricably associated with the land, thus compelling the government to ban mining activities as religious identity precedes industrial development. The displacement of the tribal folks and the uprooting of their traditional employment reduces them to labourers. The failure of the government to rehabilitate the tribal people is another reason for imposing a moratorium in tribal areas. The Munda tribal group of Jharkhand has pointed out the problem of unwarranted foreign influences brought about by mining activities. This is because undue foreign influences have threatened their culture by exposing them to modernized society. To address this issue the Coal Mines Regulation of 1955, Metalliferous mines Regulation of 1961, Mines Vocational Rules of 1966 and Oil Mines Regulation of 1984 were established to preserve the identity of the tribal population in India and prevent them from being exploited.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the preservation of the tribal community in India, in the states of Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh precedes the importance of industrial development. Despite the urgent need for mining activities in response to the increasing demands of electricity and automobile industries to boost the economy, it is imperative to protect tribal communities as they are a part of the nation’s heritage.
FAQs
Q1. Why was the ‘Mines and Mineral Act imposed?
Ans: The ‘Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 has imposed a moratorium on mining activities in the Tribal belts on the grounds that the Tribal community is regarded as the original “occupier of the surface of the lands.”
Q2. Which laws impose a moratorium on mining activities in India?
Ans: The Coal Mines Regulation of 195, Metalliferous mines Regulation of 1961, Mines Vocational Rules 1966 and Oil Mines Regulation of 1984 were established to preserve the identity of the tribal population in India.
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