They have been deprived of effective livelihood for nearly two years, but living with an uncertain future has been even more traumatic for about 100 villagers residing in 24 households of Darguinim ward in Uguem- Sanguem.
With the entire Darguinim ward located in the mining area of Tollem in Sanguem taluka, mining and ancillary activities had been part and parcel of their lives for decades.
And with a surge in mining activity came rapid progress for the villagers of Darguinim. Besides various facilities such as school, medical services, transport and employment, which were provided to them by mine owners, the dwelling units at Darguinim were converted from thatched to proper tiled roof houses.
All these benefits were severely curtailed when mining activity came to an abrupt halt in September 2012. Uncertainty over the modalities and time-period regarding the resumption in mining activity has been, by far, the difficult situation for the residents.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the halt in mining activity, Rohidas Velip of Darguinim said: “I have been gainfully employed over 25 years at the Tollem mines. It is due to mining activities adjacent to the remote village, that I was able to send my children to school.”
“Facilities were offered by mine owners, such as school fees, school transport, mid-day meals, school uniforms, books and even scholarships in some cases.”
“My children have benefited from these facilities and have been able to continue their education as a result of the support provided by the mine owners. However, I am very apprehensive that the facilities may cease to continue given the closure of activities in the mines,” Rohidas added.
Now in his fifties, Rohidas is also worried about his future employment.
“I am unable to pursue any other work given my age and moreover, the remote location of my village makes it difficult to travel to other places in search of a job. As I am also inexperienced in other fields, I am fully dependent on mining activity in the area for gainful employment,” admits Rohidas.
Rohidas’ plight is shared by other residents in Darguinim and similar woes were expressed by his neighbour, Harishchanda Velip, who claims to be working in the Tollem mines since the last 20 years.
“We are also solely dependent on income generated from mining activities. Following the closure of mining, various activities in the village have been drastically reduced due to acute financial problems faced by the villagers. There has been an acute reduction in my family income,” says Harishchanda.
When asked why they were unwilling to pursue agriculture for an alternative livelihood, other residents in the neighbourhood were quick to criticise authorities.
“Our plantations were destroyed by wild animals and there was no help or compensation from the forest department. To make matters worse, leopards and other animals caught elsewhere in the State are being released by forest officials in our village,” complained a villager.
Hoping that the state government would resume mining activity in the village, the affected residents of Darguinim want the government to reconsider the buffer zone as the present 1 km buffer zone from the wildlife sanctuary would spell doom for their village.
Confirming the difficulties faced by residents of Darguinim, Uguem Sarpanch Santosh Gaonkar claimed that they have been attached to mining activity due to geographic factors.
“Given the fact that the entire ward is located within the mining area, almost all villagers residing at Darguinim were solely dependent on mining activities in the region, either as truck owners or as employees at the mining site,” remarked Gaonkar.
“Moreover, the villagers were also given priority by mine owners in employment avenues at the mines, as they were residing in close proximity to the mines.”
“Except for some financial package provided by the government, the villagers do not have any other source of income at present. The mining firm, however, continues to provide some solace to the affected villagers,” added Gaonkar.
Similar views were also expressed by local Panch Francisco Carvalho. “If the mining issue is not addressed immediately, then the villagers residing in the mining belt will have no other alternative but to commit suicide, as has been done by agriculturists in other parts of the country.
