The case that closed the Walia mines
IN 1987 Chet Singh Chauhan and a group of residents from Sangraha, a village in Sirmaur district, filed suit demanding the closure of the V K Walia limestone mines near the village. They accused of Walia of causing severe environmental damage because of unscientific mining operations: "Haphazard mining was not only endangering our grasslands and forests, but also people and livestock in the area," Chauhan contended.
The Shimla high court first brought all mines in the district within purview of the case, and then ruled that mining could continue only if certain environmental safeguards were adopted.
Chauhan, pradhan of Sangraha village, looks back with mixed feelings. He says he is happy that Walia's mine, "which caused havoc to our fields, forests and water bodies", was closed down by the court, but he would have been happier had the court ordered a total ban on mining in the district. However, he hopes matters will improve in the wake of the strict court injunction, but he is sceptical and says, "It is fine to have environmental guidelines on paper, but who will enforce them? The Central government should send inspection teams periodically to monitor mining here."
Chauhan does not accept the argument that there are no viable economic alternatives to mining. "There is a range of crops and fruits that we can grow profitably. We do not have to depend on mining." So he insists that miners must "pay the correct environmental cost to rightholders for using their land and cutting their trees and grass".
Chauhan claims he has been victimised for taking powerful and rich miners to court. Two criminal charges -- unauthorised occupation of the Sangraha PWD guest house during the period of the court case, and theft of mining equipment from Walia's mines -- have been registered against him. "Even my method of protest -- snatching a shovel from the miners -- has been interpreted as theft," adds Chauhan.
Walia concedes all was not well at the mines under litigation. He has started mining at another site now and assures he is abiding by a prescribed mining plan with the necessary environmental safeguards. "In the interests of scientific mining, the mining department suggested that I draw up a joint mining plan for my mine and the neighbouring mine, to maintain the right gradient for strip mining and follow the top-down approach to mining. I am doing it that way."
Walia dismisses local environment concerns as an attempt to blackmail mine owners for easy gains. "Environmental slogans are used as a convenient weapon. They are all clamouring for their share of the cake, and lash out when they feel deprived."