Skip to content Skip to navigation

Honour rights in extraction activities

Extraction of natural resources would ensure sustainable development if the local communities are taken into confidence. Without considering the rights of the indigenous people and the impending impact on the bio diversity of an area, extraction turns into exploitation of natural resources. This was more or less of what the experts feel while they rubbed shoulders at a consultation in New Delhi on Thursday.

Jointly organised by Coalition on Enviroonment  and Natural Resources and the Indraprastha Public Affairs Centre, the Consultation on mining (oil, gas and natural resources) in north-east and its economic and environmental impacts with a particular focus on gender inclusive sustainable development approach ironed out a slew of suggestions for the extractive companies and the government.

In his address, environment expert and head of environment with the Directorate General Hydrocarbons Kuldip Sharma  said that sustainable development as well as extraction should be allowed to go on. He said the government is taking all necessary steps including prior studies of affected areas before giving extraction permission to companies.

President of CORE Manipur Dr Debabrata Roy Laifungbam in his speech outlined the permission to Netherland based company Jubilant Energy back in 1995 to for oil extraction in Manipur. He said that local people were not taken into confidence who came to know it only when the company came to carry out seismic work, drill exploratorations and construction work in the project site. The

Another expert Rajesh Singh Sisodia highlighted the wrongdoing on mining industries, bad-governance in the extractive areas of Chhattisgarh towards affected communities.

Human rights activist Babloo Loitingbam said that idea of multiple stake holder coming together – government, academics, civil societies etc. is ok. He opined that humanizing the corporate and the state machineries is the more urgent need. 

The focus of attraction was the overview of the extractive resources in the region and the associated industries critically presented by Dr Subrata Gogoi who is the senior professor and head of Dibrugarh University’s Petroleum Technology Department.

 

The consultation aimed at providing a platform for direct interaction between the policy makers and the civil society from the region. It further had an objective to formulate and develop policies based primarily on a “Gender Inclusive – Sustainable Development” approach to the process of economic development in the region.

This Consultation included discussions and sharing of perspectives by all stakeholders to the extractives reliant economic development process in the North-East: policy makers, investors in the region, civil society representatives from the region and experts on environment, sustainable development and gender in extractives sector.

The outcomes would inform the policy of the Centre in its efforts at increased and continued economic exploitation of the economic resources in the North-EAST and in formulating the pending legislative enactments on mining and extraction in the country.

Add new comment

Random Stories

I have not surrendered- Rajkhowa

5 Dec 2009 - 6:01pm | Nanda Kirati Dewan
United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, Deputy C-in-C Raju Baruah, personnel security to Rajkhowa Raj Borah were produced before the Magistrate at the court of Chief...

New bamboo species to Dima Hasao

New bamboo species to Dima Hasao

19 Mar 2013 - 8:46am | Anup Biswas
The Founder and Executive Director of SABF and Former President of World Bamboo Organization (WBO)  Shri Kamesh Salam Gifted two species of bamboo to the Forest Department of Dima Hasao...

Dharna in front of NEDFi Bhawan

31 Oct 2013 - 10:54am | AT News
Intellectuals, journalists and a section of senior citizens staged dharna in front of the NEDFi Bhawan on Thusday boycotting a  NHPC-sponsored seminar on the proposed big dams in Gerukamukh....

Death of wild elephant in Bhutiachang TE condoled

28 May 2010 - 11:36am | Jayanta Kumar Das
The suspected death of a 12-years-old wild elephant in the night of May 25 in Bhutiachag TE in Udalguri district has been condoled by nature lovers of the district. The dead elephant was found...

Other Contents by Author

Representatives from various indigenous groups and environmental organizations convened in Gangtok, Sikkim, for the North East India Meet on Free Flowing Rivers. The gathering, hosted by the Affected Citizens of Teesta, Centre for Research and Advocacy (Manipur), and the Borok Peoples Human Rights Organization, concluded with a significant resolution aimed at safeguarding the region's rivers and biodiversity. "We recognize the intrinsic rights of rivers to flow freely and the vital relationship between indigenous communities and their natural resources," emphasized a spokesperson from the conference. The Teesta Declaration outlined pressing concerns regarding the construction of...
Guwahati: The commencement of preliminary work on the flyover linking the Dighalipukhuri point with the Bamunimaidan area has sparked concerns among the media fraternity in Guwahati. The ongoing development, anticipated to be the longest flyover in Assam stretching over six kilometers and set for completion by 2026, has raised issues for the city's Press Club situated in the Ambari locality. As construction gears up, the Press Club faces a significant reduction in its working space due to the flyover's expansion. This reduction is poised to create parking challenges for members and visitors alike during and after the construction phase, prompting the Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) to...
In a resolute display of solidarity and resilience, over 5,000 women hailing from the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar-Mizo communities congregated at Peace Ground, Tuibuong, Lamka, Churachandpur in Manipur, kickstarting the annual 16 Days Activism on Violence Against Women. Orchestrated by the Women of Lamka, the event was a fervent call for justice and a poignant outcry against the distressing instances of gender-based violence (GBV) that have plagued the state. Led by the indomitable Ngaineikim from Kuki Women organization for human rights, the program's inauguration was a tapestry of impassioned speeches, stirring presentations, and solemn moments dedicated to the victims. Distinguished figures such...
Guwahati: The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has voiced its deep concern regarding the recent surge in verbal assaults on journalists by various individuals. In response, the forum calls upon the State's media community to stand united in the face of adversity. In a released statement, the forum highlighted the disparaging remarks made by AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal towards video journalists, where he suggested that they should face physical violence. “While we vehemently denounce Ajmal's stance and urge for appropriate actions against the politician, we implore media professionals to demonstrate unity, integrity, and professionalism in their workplaces,” remarked JFA president Rupam...
The North-East Finale of the WWF-India Wild Wisdom Global Challenge 2023 was held on November 3, 2023, at Royal Global University in Guwahati, Assam. This year's challenge was themed "Birds of the World" and was open to students from classes 6 to 9. A total of 80 schools with 160 students from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and various districts of Assam participated in the finale. After a closely contested competition, the team from Sarla Birla Gyan Jyoti School, Assam, represented by Ritvik Anand (class 6) and Garvita Jain (class 8), emerged as the North East Champions. The 2nd position was bagged by the team from Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Tezpur, Assam...
Siliguri: Salesian College (Autonomous) Siliguri joined 11 other venues of Kolkata Salesian province in holding Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival, 2nd edition on 13th October 2023. North Bengal’s acclaimed Nepali Film Director, musician and singer Mr. Anmol Gurung inaugurated the festival at Salesian College Siliguri just as Los Angeles Salesians hosted the Global Youth Film Awards in the picturesque foothills of Hollywood. “These films serve as a poignant canvas, capturing the myriad emotions, trials, tribulations, dreams, and aspirations of young people,” says Festival Director in Siliguri Salesian Fr C.M. Paul. Fr Paul adds, “They [films] also show the profound desire of...
In a celebration of literary heritage and a significant milestone, the Assam Publishing Company has released the long-awaited second edition of Anatole France's "Thais" in Assamese. The reissue of this classic comes exactly 59 years after its initial publication, bringing the timeless themes of love, temptation, and redemption to a new generation of readers. Golok Chandra Datta, an esteemed translator hailing from the region, skillfully translated the renowned French author Anatole France's work. This translation marks a crucial milestone in Datta's career as it represents his inaugural published translation effort. The translation aims to convey the depth and beauty of the original...
Guwahati, 23 September 2023: Assam Don Bosco University celebrated its 12th Convocation on Saturday, 23rd September, 2023, at Tapesia Campus Sonapur, Guwahati. The esteemed gathering included the Hon’ble Governor of Assam, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, who graced the occasion as the university's visitor, along with Vice Chancellor Fr. (Dr) Jose Palley, Pro Vice Chancellor Fr. Joseph Nellnatt, Directors of Schools, Heads of Departments, faculty members, students, and dignitaries from across the country. Addressing the graduating students, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria encouraged them to contribute meaningfully to society, emphasizing the importance of innovation and dedication in shaping a better...
Golaghat: Last Wednesday, an insightful sensitization workshop addressing the detrimental effects of tobacco use was organized at the conference hall of the District & Sessions Judge’s office in Golaghat. The event witnessed the presence of key figures in the fight against tobacco consumption, including Secretary of DLSA Golaghat, Smt. JyotiSmita Sarma, Dr. Sunita Ekka from District Tobacco Control Cell, Golaghat, and Rudhir Prakash Sarma, Divisional Coordinator of Upper Assam Division from The UNION. Officials from the DLSA office and the health department also actively participated. The workshop commenced with a warm welcome address, followed by an insightful discussion on the...
Guwahati: Biodiversity conservation organizations, Aaranyak and WWF-India, have joined forces to tackle the growing issue of human-wildlife conflict (HWC), particularly the pressing concern of human-elephant conflict (HEC), by installing a remarkable 10 km-long low-cost solar fence in the fringes of the Central Range (Kachugaon) of Raimona National Park in Assam. This initiative aims to facilitate coexistence between humans and wildlife, offering immediate relief to the local community. The community-managed single-strand solar fence is expected to alleviate the ever-increasing incidents of HEC for approximately 568 households, which translates to a population of 2700-3000 people...