MINING: A GUIDE TO INDIA’S WEALTH, ITS RESOURCE CURSE         Map: Hotspots         State    CHHATTISGARH               Among India's most mineral-rich states, producing 28 major minerals, including coal and iron ore. Produces approximately 16% of India’s coal, 10% of iron ore, 5% bauxite, 5% limestone and 88% tin. Fifth largest contributor to the value of minerals produced; generating Rs 5049 crore in 2004-05. Mining contributes 12% to the state's GDP About 90,000 ha of land is under mining. 44% of the state's land area is under forests (12% of the country's forested area); most of the dense forests are in the mineral-rich districts. Ranks 2nd in terms of total forest land diverted for mining in India. Tribals comprise 31% of the state's total population - Dantewada, Bastar, Surguja are most mined districts. About 40.5% of the state's population lives below the poverty line. Despite large-scale mining projects, six of the seven key mining districts are listed in the 150 most backward districts in India. The state is witnessing increased industrial activity in recent years. This has been accompanied by protests in different parts of the states – Bastar, Korba, and Dantewada districts, in particular.                       DANTEWADA   Has rich reserves of iron ore, tin and corrandum. Around 2010 ha of land in the district is already under mining with leading steel companies envisaging interest in the district. Rich forest reserves with 64% of its land under forest cover and almost 79% tribal population. Although rich in natural wealth, the district has not seen much development - only 30% of the population is literate; about a half of the state's population has access to clean drinking water; and less than 25% population has access to electricity. The district ranks seventh among the 150 backward districts of the country. . Essar Steel acquired land for its steel plant in the tribal villages of Dhurli and Bhansi, despite widespread local opposition. Many suspect that the company, in cahoots with the government, used coercion to obtain special permission from the Gram Sabha to acquire land in this Schedule V area. Dantewada and the neighbouring district of Bastar is affected by naxalism. Maoists are against transfer of land to the companies and have threatened to disrupt mining operations. In a recent attack, some villagers who had handed over their land to Essar Steel, were killed.             BAILADILA   The hills are rich with dense deciduous forests - an ecological hotspot; its vast reserves of high quality iron ore also places the area's biodiversity under serious threat from mining. Mining and industrialisation have devastated the region, especially places like Kirandul, Bacheli and Bhansi. The Shankhini and Dankini rivers, which flow through the region are among the most polluted in India. Shankhini is often referred to as 'lal pani' (red waters); people from about 100 villages are dependant on this water source. Iron ore tailings from National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC)’s Bailadila mines have polluted the river and also damaged 35,000 ha of agricultural and forest land. On account of this, state government directed the company to dig 200 wells in 65 villages affected along the river. Most of the drinking water wells are dry.           BASTAR   Government here too has helped private mining companies to acquire land in Schedule V villages of Bastar. The companies are Tata’s plant at Lohinduga and NDMC’s plant at Nagarnar. Nagarnar has witnessed a long-drawn conflict between the locals and the state over land allotment to the public sector NMDC. The struggle also turned violent when activists protesting against the project were apprehended and shot at by the police; 45 people, mostly women, were injured and around 250 people were jailed. An inquiry conducted by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (NCSCST) concluded that the acquisition process violated the constitutional mandate for scheduled areas and therefore was null and void. Inspite of the NCSCST findings and protests by locals, the state government still went ahead with the land acquisition process. Nagarnar steel plant is yet to start functioning because of technological failures in using iron filling waste from the Bailadila mines.