Environmental Health Impact Assessments and Eco-modernity of Sukinda Chromite Ultramafic Belt, India
Siba Prasad Mishra *
Geoinformatics, Department of Civil Engineering, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Jatni, Bhubaneswar, India.
Bandana Acharya
Geoinformatics, Department of Civil Engineering, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Jatni, Bhubaneswar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The Precambrian geological chromite formation in the Sukinda Ultramafic chromite Belt (SUCB) at Jajpur, Odisha, has added to India's economy but simultaneously deteriorated the environment, habitat health, and societal values in India's largest chrome mine. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Health Impact Assessment (HIA) are diversified independent studies blended into the Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA), which is conducted as an emerging tool to discuss the environment and human health in mining areas in one basket. The study involved a rigorous literature review, field survey, and use of geoinformatics (arc GIS, Remote Sensing software) to generate aspect, stream order and other maps. Information was gathered from dispensaries to community health centres in Sukinda Valley for all individual players, i.e., water, air, noise, soil, and health concerns and their impacts on comprehending the environment and people's health. Key findings are decadal environmental degradation and people's health with mining-related diseases mainly due to open-cast mining, waste mismanagement, environmental regulations disobedience and improper monitoring of quality water, air, noise, tailings and soil of the mining pitch, mainly due to surged mining activity. Tuberculosis, cancer, Skin diseases and Malaria are the leading health issues, naming it the "Valley of Despair". The immediate and long-remedial measures warranted to satiate the burning problems and oblige the SDGs 1,3,6,7,13 and 15.
Keywords: Chromite, EIA, EHIA, sustainability, geology, pollution, Sukinda