CLAY TURNED IN TO CURSE IN MANGALAPURAM
Thiruvananthapuram: At first they were welcomed; they offered a pathway to prosperity. Now they are seen as cancers, as killers. The Clay mining controversy contiues.
"Just as cancer invades one cell after another, similarly the clay mining companies cunningly crept into our village. At the outset they lured us by offering employment and were ready to buy our land at high prices. Some of us hoping for a better standard of life, fell for this and sold our land. Presently 60 percentage of the landscape has been brought under the ownership of the mining companies."- says Sunil Hassan an activist of Solidarity, the agitating group in the wretched village now.
the people of Mangalapuram panchayath struggle to exsist. Not only have they lost their land, they have lost their water and their health is at risk.
The rush of miningcompanies started five years ago. Mangalapuram, situated around 30 k.m. away from the capital city Thiruvanathapuram, in the neighborhood of Techno Park, is the main target of the mining gamble owing to it's plentiful supply of superior quality chinese clay. Mangalapuram is a small panchayath of around 21.66 sq.ft.km. and inhabited by population of 37,000. It ranks one among the best sites processing first quality clay in the world. Owing to this, English Indian Clay limited (EICL) and 19 other small companies are indulged in clay mining in this small area. The nearby areas of Manikkal, Murukkumpuzha panchayath are also endowed with abundant source of clay deposits. The comparatively inferior clay in the region has however not been an obstacle in the massive extent of mining process. The villages of Melthonnaykkal, Azhoor, Andoorkonam and Pothenkode are most hardhit areas.
One faces shocking scenes on entering Mangalapuram. The landscape engulfed by deep and fearful trenches, gives as an impression of a predator with its mouth open to swallow it's prey, is a mind rocking sight. Although mining has been done upto a depth of 400-500 ft. in many areas of the panchayath, yet clay deposits worth mining for many decades is still persisting.
The ruthless mining has lead to drastic decline in water level of the area. As a result, wells and other waterbodies have dried up, culminating in severe water shortage. The mining borne dust particles and the factory affluents equaly pollute the drinking water sources. The water purifying plants said to be owned and operated by the companies is viewed with suspicion.
The majority of inhabitants have succumbed to diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and skin diseases. Dr. Najeem, Medical Officer, PHC Mangalapuram, noticing the deteorating health condition, conducted the pilot survey two years ago which was an eye opener to the grave health problems persisting among the people. In the light of the pilot survey, he submitted a project of detailed medical survey to the panchayath.
The region has become highly prone to accidents over the recent years. The mad rush of tipper lorry has significantly added to the road accidents in the locality. The horrifying trenches have awarded death to more than 15 persons and countless livestock. The latest victims were two youngsters who had come for site-seeing. There is an incidence of the owner of the mine himself falling into the deep trench, thereby loosing his life.
As if water shortages and ill health were not enough, the villagers have yet another problem: they life in a defaced, ugly landscape and land values have declined. 'The market value of land here has drastically declined over the past few years, owing to ruthless mining in this area. Anticipating the future fall in land value and the situation of fearful isolation, the helpless villagers are forced to sell off their remaining piece of land at mere prices.'- says Mr. Shajeer, real estate agent.
According to the records 125 hectares of land was under paddy cultivation in 1997. By 2004 the figures had declined to a staggering 75 hectares. The present discouraging condition of paddy cultivation is due to severe water shortage in the area alongwith widespread land purchase by mining companies.
The ugly landscape is caused by companies ruthlessly violating the rules regarding trench refillment. The dug out top soil meant for refilling the trenches is on the contrary transported illegally to other sites. The justification for not refilling the trenches was their 'so called convertion' into rain wells, duly incorporated under the Govt. project of rain harvesting. The hidden agenda is to procure surplus Govt. grants as well as precious rain water and to avert the responsibility of trench refillment - comments Mr. Suresh, the helpless villager.
The Outbreak of Agitations
Not surprisingly, the villagers took to the streets in the beginning of 2005. The outraged people were as usual guided by enthusiastic politicians. The final outcome of the compromise talks comprised of assurance of employment to the natives and supply of safe drinking water through tanker Lorries (except on holidays). Another step taken was the construction of boundary walls around the mining areas to avert accidents. Topsoil was excluded from sales category.
The leaders of the agitation who were once in the forefront of the strike are now ironically dead against further strikes. Lack of motivation and leadership has tarnished this public protest. ''The company is supplying drinking water to the local population after polluting our water resources. This annoying fact is however unknown to the affected villagers.
The extent of groundwater extracted by the companies here is much more alarming than that at Plachimada. The tapped groundwater is used for processing of clay; it is never supplied to the needy inhabitants. Our misfortune is that we lack a strong panchayath with a firm backbone, like that of Perumatti panchayath''- says Mr. Pradeep Divakaran, activist and State committee member, Janathdal. But the president of the panchayath holds a different view. ''The hue and cry made over this particular issue is rather baseless and far from truth, since most of the problems have been resolved. Further taking a negative stand against clay mining without sound reasons will only bring the wrath of judiciary upon the local self administration.''- comments Mr. Ajith, the President of Mangalapuram Panchayath .
Mr. N.Krishnakumar, Director, Mining and Geology claims that enviornmental issues linked with clay mining has been tackled efficiently. ''The subcommittee appointed by Govt of Kerala under the Chairmanship of Director of Mining and Geology dept. authorised to monitor the enviornmental situation, is doing a fine job. The panchayath and companies have due representation in the committee. The measures such as regular refilling of the trenches with topsoil, sprinkling of water on the dusty roads and supply of safe drinking water to the needy population are commendable''- Says the Director.
But Mr. R. Ajayan, Convener, Plachimada Ikkyadhardya Samithi disagrees; he says that the plight of Mangalapuram is as evident as daylight. The deep trenches and adjacent mud hills reveal the naked reality of non refillment of the dreadful trenches. Further the committee authorized to tackle enviornmental problems in the affected zone unfortunately do not include any member from the protestors. Inspite of all this discouraging facts, he has decided to follow up the complaint which is presently submitted before the subject committee of Kerala Legislative Assembly.
Meantime EICL denies all the accusations. Mr. Jayan Nair claims that their's is a reputed company which maintains International standard. On humanitarian grounds the company took up the hurricane task of supplying safe drinking water to the people, in the event of severe water shortage problem.
Intervention of Human Right Commission
When the public protest gained momentum the Human Right commission enterd the scene, following which Kerala University was authorized to study about the concerned envoirmental and health issues. The report submitted a year ago by the expert three member committee headed by V. Sobha, Head of the Department of Environmental Sciences, has revealed shocking truth.
The quality of ground water in the mining areas is quite below WHO's standard for drinking water coupled with pH values below the required limit. The committee views on rehabilitation of the grossly mined areas as the most patent issue. The report emphasized the need to conduct chemical analysis of the soil to assess the toxicity level. In the light of the report, one year later, HRC member S.Varghese ordered the immediate shutting of unauthorized clay mines in Mangalapuram Panchayath.
As usual, this report also concludes in appointing another expert committee for detailed suggestions. The formation of a new committee and submission of its report will be lengthy procedure. Amidst the controversies, what remains certain is the uncertain fate of the ignored villagers. While waiting in the endless quest for drinking water supplied by tankers, even in the season of heavy downpour, the villagers painfully acknowledge how clay had turned in to curse.
BY S.SANTHOSH KUMAR
santhosh
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very good story