India’s Chromium Boom: Ecological Concerns and Social Imbalances | S N Tripathy

In 2020, India ascended fourth in global chrome production, trailing behind South Africa, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Finland. Chrome is a crucial component in stainless steel manufacturing and plays a pivotal role in industrial development. Nevertheless, the exponential surge in chrome production in India, particularly in the Sukinda Valley of Jajpur, has spawned a complex web of social, economic, and environmental challenges.

As of 2020, India’s chrome production reached 3.929 thousand tonnes, firmly establishing itself as a significant player in the global market. The Sukinda Valley, harbouring 98 per cent of the country’s chrome reserves, remains the epicentre of chrome mining activities. However, this region’s concentration of chrome production has yet to translate into equitable benefits for the local populace. Despite the crisis looming large, authorities seem to evade responsibility, leaving approximately half a million people in the vicinity of Sukinda Valley’s chromite mines at risk. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s recent report identified the valley, spread over Orissa’s Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts, as a highly polluted area, primarily due to profit-driven mining companies wreaking havoc on the region’s ecology. This, in turn, has started taking a toll on the local population, with hexavalent chromium, declared a carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO), posing a significant health risk due to unscientific mining practices.

Odisha, housing nearly 95 per cent of the country’s total chrome deposits, struggles with the hazardous nature of chromium. While the metal typically exists in a trivalent form, specific proportions also manifest in the volatile hexavalent form (Cr-VI), a potent oxidizing agent capable of causing severe health damage. Although the metal doesn’t directly contribute to air pollution, it can elevate suspended particulate matter (SPM) levels. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and WHO stipulations, the level of hexavalent chromium in potable water should not exceed 0.05 milligrams per litre (mg/l). Shockingly, studies reveal levels as high as 2.5 mg/l in the water sources of the Sukinda Valley, surpassing permissible limits.

The Damsala River, the region’s solitary perennial water source, has essentially transformed into an effluent discharge canal for the mines. Various research groups corroborate the high concentration of hexavalent chromium in this crucial water body, which not only serves as a source of irrigation but is also the primary water source for the tribal people of the area.

Chrome mining, led by private entities like TISCO, IMFA, FACOR, and others, has significantly contributed to India’s mineral sector’s economic growth. With approximately 8,000 labourers employed daily, the total value of chrome ore in 2020 amounted to Rs 3,500 crore. However, despite these impressive figures, the socio-economic upliftment of local communities, predominantly tribal, Dalit, and OBC groups engaged in farming and forest-related activities, has been minimal.

The open-cast mining activities, spanning over 20 km in the Sukinda Valley, have strained the local agricultural economy, water sources, soil health, and forest resources. Over 40 villages directly affected by mining have witnessed minimal positive transformation in the lives and livelihoods of their residents.

The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), constituting a significant portion of the affected population, often lack land ownership and face challenges in recording cultivable land under their names. The absence of regular surveys or assessments for crop loss due to pollution further hinders the compensation process for affected farmers, making farming a diminishing option and exacerbating the vulnerability of these communities.

The environmental toll of chrome mining is evident in deforestation, soil and water pollution, and the depletion of perennial water sources, creating a dire situation. Negligent practices in refilling abandoned mines, treating overburden, and responsible disposal of mining waste directly impact soil and groundwater levels, contributing to a water crisis that adds to the woes of the local population. Despite dedicated funds like Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), District Mineral Foundation (DMF), Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADF), and periphery development funds, mining-hit areas lack basic amenities, quality education, health services, and viable livelihood sources. The mismanagement and lack of long-term planning by DMF-Jajpur exacerbate the long-term impact on human health, agriculture, ecology, and the environment.

Hexavalent chromium, a hazardous byproduct of mining, poses significant threats to human health, with the Mahagiri hill, Brahmani River, Damasala Nala, and Ganda Nala serving as unfortunate recipients of soil, water, and air pollution. Inhalation of chromium compounds, identified as a potential source of cancer, especially lung cancer, emphasizes the urgent need for mitigation plans. Unfortunately, authorities have displayed a lack of political will and administrative action, perpetuating the environmental crisis.

The chrome mining boom in Sukinda Valley, India, has undoubtedly contributed to the economic growth of the mineral sector. Still, the cost borne by local communities and the environment is staggering. A select group of families benefiting directly from mining has established alliances with ruling parties, hindering the enforcement of protective legislation. Rectifying economic imbalances, ensuring fair compensation for affected farmers, and implementing sustainable environmental practices are essential for the well-being of all stakeholders.

To resolve these challenges, immediate intervention is imperative, with key measures including exploring advanced remediation techniques like phytoremediation and electrocoagulation. Phytoremediation utilizes plants to absorb and detoxify hexavalent chromium, while electrocoagulation employs electricity to remove contaminants from wastewater, offering efficient and sustainable solutions. Moreover, bacterial remediation, focusing on bacteria with high hexavalent chromium reduction potential, could enhance conversion efficiency, especially in areas with limited bacterial activity.

Strengthening environmental regulation enforcement, cracking down on illegal mining, rigorously monitoring activities, and imposing strict penalties for non-compliance are crucial steps. Thorough Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) before initiating any mining project can prevent and address contamination issues from the outset. Public awareness campaigns are vital, informing local communities about the risks associated with hexavalent chromium and promoting sustainable mining practices.

Collaborative efforts among government agencies, mining companies, environmental organizations, and local communities are essential for long-term biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Sukinda Valley. The Human Rights Commission should issue directives to the state government, prioritizing these measures for the well-being of the ecosystem and the people in the region.

(Author: S N Tripathy, Former Professor of Economics, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, currently at Berhampur, Odisha)