SEPARATION OF POWERS
SC clarifies states' power to tax mining

Apex court ruling comes as a boost to mineral-rich states. The interpretation of the court in this verdict could also give states more power to raise their own taxes, which been diluted significantly in recent years.

#Public Funds #Government #JHARKHAND #ODISHA
FOREST PROTECTION
Razing houses to stop razing the hills

The Aravali hills were used to nature's erosion, but the assault on them by those eyeing its rich resources was something else. Will the Supreme Court's recent intervention halt this?

#Forests #Environment #HARYANA
IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
A new draft of old failures
IMPACT ASSESSMENTS : A new draft of old failures

In the past, the framework for assessing the environmental impact of projects merely facilitated them getting started. Revisions proposed recently don't contain any evidence of a new course either.

#Environmental Regulation #Forests #Environment
MINING IN ODISHA
More money for more dust
MINING IN ODISHA : More money for more dust

Harapriya Nayak and Santosh Dora share their experience of working with the tribals of a small village in Odisha, who were suffering because of heavy mining happening in their area and how they brought about a change.

#Environment #GUJARAT
MINING IN HASDEO ARAND
Too many questions? Take away the right to ask!

The Chhattisgarh government has nullified the community rights of a section of villagers under the Forest Rights Act, as it was being used by them to oppose mining in the region. But why are the local people up against mining? Shripad Dharmadhikary reports.

#Environmental Regulation #Environment
BAUXITE IN BAPHLIMALI
In Odisha, more tribal voices against mining

The Kashipur movement against mining operations that threaten local livelihoods and ecosystems has seen merciless suppression and gross violation of human rights.

#Environment #Human Rights #ODISHA
SAND MAFIA
The sand mining conundrum

Per Supreme Court's order without environment clearance mining of sand is prohibited across the country but as Kanchi Kohli reports reality is different. Illegal sand mining is on rise to meet the increasing demand of the construction industry and impacting the ecosystem of our rivers and communities depending on the river.

#Environment
GROWTH VERSUS IDENTITY
Why the Dongria Kondh rejected development in the Niyamgiri Hills

The 2013 rejection of the bauxite mining plan in Odisha’s Niyamgiri Hills by the local tribal gram sabhas is hailed as the first successful environmental referendum in the country. Meenal Tatpati and Rashi Misra visit the region to find out what led the people to oppose the proposed ‘development’.

#Adivasis #Forests #Livelihoods #Human Rights
COAL WASHERIES
Coal-related pollution chokes mining towns in Jharkhand

The Dhanbad and Jharia regions in Jharkhand, noted for rampant coal mining and related operations, face grave environmental issues due to dumping of pollutant by-products from coal washeries. Shripad Dharmadhikary reports after a visit to Dhanbad.

#Environment #JHARKHAND
CEC REPORT ON MINING
A new course for iron ore mining in Odisha

Rejection of regularisation of mines operating beyond lease areas, and compensation for other violations being used for tribal welfare are among the recommendations of a recent report on mining in the state. Kanchi Kohli places the key points in context.

#Environmental Regulation #Environment #ODISHA
FIGHTING DISPLACEMENT
Why the market fails to lure Mali Parbat’s militant environmentalists

The efforts of metals major Hindalco to mine bauxite from Mali Parbat in Odisha has run up against stiff resistance from local Kondh adivasis, who wouldn’t shy away from militancy to protect their ecology, if needed. Javed Iqbal explores why they reject ‘industrial development’.

#Adivasis #Displacement #Land #Human Rights
MINING IN ODISHA
A battle that hasn’t been won in nine years

With numerous court cases, regulatory rulings and pending environmental clearances behind it, the South Korean steel major POSCO still persists with its plans in India. Kanchi Kohli looks at the latest in the case and wonders why.

#Environmental Regulation #Environment #ODISHA
ELECTIONS IN KERALA
Will the Western Ghats decide Kerala’s mandate?

The controversy over the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports on ecological preservation in the Western Ghats has brought about a churn in politics in Kerala. P N Venugopal wonders if this will determine the decisions of the electorate in the Lok Sabha elections.

#Elections #Environmental Hazards #Government #KERALA
MINING TROUBLE
Steeling into Rowghat’s future

Iron ore from the proposed Rowghat mines in Chhattisgarh is crucial for the sustenance of the Bhilai steel plants. This, however, not only poses a grave threat to the forest ecology of the area, but is also itself vulnerable. Kanchi Kohli details the complexities.

#Displacement #Environment
SHAH COMMISSION REPORT
Can illegal mining be stopped?
SHAH COMMISSION REPORT : Can illegal mining be stopped?
The Justice M B Shah Commission set up by the Ministry of Mines may have been prematurely discontinued, but its substantial impact in the early stages and interim findings clearly point to what its final report may hold. Kanchi Kohli reports.
#Environmental Regulation #Environment