Report on Roro asbestos mines, Chaibasa, West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, 09/08/2020
Compliance report of National Green Tribunal order of January 07, 2020 by the state government of Jharkhand. The issue for consideration was the steps for restitution of the area which was earlier under the RORO asbestos mines, Chaibasa, West Singhbhum district. Lease for such mines was given in favour of Hyderabad Asbestos Cement Product Limited (HACPL). The mines stopped working in the year 1983. However, safety measures for restitution of the mines to mitigate adverse environmental and health impact in the area were not taken. Asbestos dust based pollution continued to be emitted resulting in health hazards and contamination of ponds and streams.
The Tribunal was informed by the state of Jharkhand that several schemes related to reclamation and rehabilitation of abandoned asbestos mines of Roro village had been taken. These include construction of water tower in 'Mundasai of Roro village within Bada Lagiya Panchayat'. Health check up (preliminary screening at the cost of Rs. 1,50,000) of 565 local residents had been conducted. Symptoms of asbestois disease had been found in 164 out of 565 local residents. PPT and x-ray test was conducted of 126 out of 164 local residents.