ISAS Insights

Concerns over illegal mining in India have revived following the report of a committee appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of the Government of India on mining operations in Orissa. The report has mentioned violation of multiple forest and environment laws in securing forest land for mining. Highlighting complicity between private industry and local administration, the report has urged the MoEF not to allow the transfer of forest land for mining. Following the report, the MoEF has rejected the proposal to transfer land for mining. The paper examines the issues raised in the report and argues that growth of mining and protection of rights of local communities are conflicting objectives. India is yet to evolve a socio-economic mechanism, where these objectives can be simultaneously accommodated.