Socio-Economic Dimensions of Workers in the Vicinity of Bellary-Iron ore Mining Region, Karnataka : An Empirical Study

Abstract

To achieve rapid economic development, many countries resort to various activities
to exploit natural resources. One such activity is mining. It has the potential of contributing to the development of areas endowed with the resources. Bellary district is endowed
with abundant mineral resources of international standard including iron ore, manganese
ore and limestone. Keeping this background the investigator determined to examine the
socio-economic conditions of the people who are residing close to the iron ore excavation
area and environmental measures followed by mine leasers. Present study is purely based
on primary data collected from field survey by selecting 80 non - mining people from
sixteen villages by using questionnaire schedule. In addition to these, 19 private and 2
government iron ore company owners were interrogated to understand the mitigation
measures adopted by the lease holders and facilities and safety measures provided to the
workers. It is proved that local people are suffering from acute air borne (67.5 per cent )
diseases like asthma, cold, cough and water borne (21.3 per cent), diseases namely diarrheal, skin and eye burning, fever and others (11.3 per cent). It is also proved that the
local people are economically benefited from the mining but at the same time they face
problems related to social aspects like health, potable water, and death due to accidents
(52.5 per cent responded yes) at least 01-02 accident in a week
The small and medium land holders have lost their agricultural land which has been
taken by mine owners on lease base for dumping yard, parking and other purpose. It is
clear that mining affected the productivity of the land and yield of crop have decreased to
a greater extent. Similarly, mining lease holders have not properly adopted the environmental protection measure