Background:
A significant amount of Indias Protected Areas and other wildlife habitats, as also areas which forest-dependent communities survive in, face a threat from mining (either existing or proposed). Besides actual destruction of these areas is the issue of destruction of wildlife corridors and lesser explored issues such as the toxic effect of mining on wildlife and local populations . At this juncture the need is felt for initially mapping the mining threats to PAs, other wildlife and community habitats on a national scale. We propose to do a study to achieve this objective, which can act as a catalyst for further action.

Objectives :

1. To get a national picture of mining threats to PAs and other wildlife/community habitats.
2. To initiate a campaign based on the above, in collaboration with other local and national NGOs and individuals.
3. To lobby for changes in the Mining Policy eg. inclusion of a no mining zone in and around PAs and sensitive community areas in the policy itself.
4. To explore the use of other policies and laws, such as the Environment Protection Act, the Wild Life (Protection) Act, and the Forest Conservation Act, in tackling the threat of mining.
5. To give support to local groups who are working on this issue.

Methodology :
In the first two months, a table of areas affected by mining, with appropriate maps indicating overlaps between critical wildlife and community areas and ongoing/proposed mining, will be established from secondary information and from networking efforts with groups around the country. This will be followed over the next 3-4 months by field visits to a representative sample of areas to get first hand information of the situation, where information will be recorded (including through photographs). In the next two months, the picture of mining threats will be compiled and brought out as a detailed report. Both during the field visit phase and in the final phase, campaigning and lobbying work will be carried out as appropriate.

Finally, a workshop will be held with key organizations and individuals, to decide the future course of action. This will be an intense, action-oriented workshop, where specific actions such as a national campaign, litigation, etc. will be decided upon and initiated.

Personnel and Collaboration :
The principal work on this project will be undertaken by Kalpavriksh members Neeraj Vagholikar and Pankaj Sekhsaria, with guidance from Ashish Kothari and Neema Pathak. Constant collaboration will be carried out with Sanctuary Asia office, in particular Ashish Fernandes and Bittu Sahgal, and with other relevant organizations in the country.

Outputs :

1. A map of India, with as complete a picture of mining in sensitive ecological and cultural habitats, as possible.
2. A detailed report, or series of reports, on the status of mining threats to PAs and other critical habitats in India.
3. A visual record, from field visits, of some of the areas which are affected.
4. Sample campaign notes and letters which can be used by NGOs and individuals to build pressure on this issue.

Budget (for a period of 10 months) :

1. Honorarium                                                   Rs. 40,000
2. Travel                                                              Rs. 20,000
3. Photography (films + processing)             Rs.    5,000
4. Photocopying, stationery, and postage     Rs.    5,000
5. Computer use, final report production     Rs. 10,000
6. Workshop                                                        Rs. 50,000

Total:                                                                   Rs. 130,000 (Rupees One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Only)
                                                                              (Approx. US$ 3000)

Please send your personal contribution to:
Kalpavriksh,
Aptmt. 5,
Shree Dutta Krupa, 908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004, India.
Phone: 91-20-354239

About Kalpavriksh:
Kalpavriksh is an environmental action group which has been active since 1979 on various fronts: environmental education and awareness, legal action, campaigns, action research, and support to grassroots groups and communities. Amongst other subjects, wildlife conservation has been a major focus. It is one of the organizers of a series of national consultations (called "Building Bridges"), which aim to create a common platform for people and organizations which are working on conservation and human rights issues. It also produces a bi-monthly newsletter JPAM Update, which provides regular news on conservation related issues. One of its current focal activities is documentation of community-based conservation, and support to communities that are attempting to conserve natural habitats and wildlife species.

Update1

Update2

Donors:

We are thankful to the following people who have contributed funds for the project.

Rakesh Barve

Kasturi Varadarajan

Donations recived by ASCI till 13 Feb, 2000: US $ 200.