The Indo-U.S. nuclear deal may be considered groundbreaking and historic by many in India and the United States, but this euphoria must not shroud the misery of thousands of people suffering the effects of uranium mining in India due to poor technical and management practices in existing mines.
Jadugoda, Jharkhand is a place which has been serving India’s Uranium needs for last thirty years as country’s only underground uranium mines exist here. Jadugoda and surrounding areas are home to around 40,000 tribals and adivasis.
It first came into prominence when uranium deposits were discovered in the area in late 60s. For the last thirty years, the radioactive wastes have been just dumped into the rice fields of the Adivasis. The complete neglect of the authorities to radioactive waste management rules wreaks havoc in the daily lives of the villagers and children with genetic deformities become quite common.
The government agency (UCIL) mining the uranium makes no attempt to protect the lives of the people and environment of the area. The unsafe mining of uranium has resulted in excessive radiation which has led to genetic mutations and slow deaths. Medical reports reveal that the impact of radiation on the health of tribal peoples has already been devastating.
Local people are paying for India’s nuclear capabilities with their lives.
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