US EPA

8802954 

Journal Article 

Peril of uranium mining-an emerging disaster: A case study of East Singhbhum, Jharkhand 

Namrata, TP 

2021 

Yes 

Disaster Advances
ISSN: 0974-262X 

14 

1 

57-63 

English 

India is a mineral rich country having a favourable geographical setup. Mining sector is one of the core economic drivers of the country. Uranium is a rare mineral which is used to generate nuclear energy and make weapons. Uranium ore is found in small quantities in soils and rocks which vary from place to place. East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand is a major uranium production centre having mine site, plant and dumping ground called tailing pond. The main deposits are located on the lands belonging to the tribal people. These people co-existed with the nature but due to lack of awareness and education they fell into the trap of country’s developmental program. Mining for the national cause has turned out to be disastrous. The hazardous nature of radioactive ore and mill waste poses serious and unidentified health risks and environmental impacts. Radon gas is continuously released in the atmosphere from the mining sites and tailing pond, having irreversible health effects. Wind carries the dust particles from tailing pond and mine site to long distances, that are inhaled by the tribal community residing in the vicinity, particles get deposited on the agricultural ground and also leach into the soil and aquifers. This leads to higher level of health hazards. The unaware communities are paying a huge cost. The objective of this paper is to understand the threats and risk associated with uranium mining in Jharkhand and to identify if there is any coping measure adopted by the tribal community who is directly impacted. This study is based on the semi structures interviews with respondents and non-participant observation and secondary literature including both primary as well as secondary source of data. The marginalized section of the society becomes more vulnerable as they reside in the land of mineral resources. © 2021, World Research Association. All rights reserved. 

Health risk and tribal; Radiation; Tailing pond; Uranium; Uranium mining