IFA Projects

DISHA (Direct Initiative for Social & Health Action) -2019 


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Bellary Mining

Bellary is a region in Karnataka known for its rich iron-ore deposits and natural beauty. 



Issue Background

The rising global iron-ore prices and high demand from China brought into focus iron ore-deposits in Bellary. The Reddy brothers who were ministers in the Karnataka government during this period used their political clout to mine the land voraciously, violating all environmental laws and overcoming any resistance by intimidation, bribery or sheer arrogance.

This unfettered mining decimated the agriculture base and destroyed topsoil. The dust reduced the crop yield severely. Bore wells had gone dry and ancient tanks silted. Silt also appeared in the Tungabhadra reservoir threatening irrigation. The CEC estimated that 45% of the green cover in Bellary had been lost. Cattle rearing, another major occupation was also severely impacted.

Process of Resolution

The state government asked Karnataka Lokayukta to conduct an enquiry in 2007. In December 2008, the Lokayukta found severe irregularities in mining, stacking, transportation trading and exporting. It warned that at this rate, the mining deposits would not last more than 20 to 30 years; deposits that would usually be mined over 200 years.

Challenges and final resolution

The mine barons tried to scuttle the Lokayukta probe by hand picking all the forest and revenue officials and police departments. U V Singh, the chief conservator of the Forests and who led the investigation was physically attacked. Due to lack of government action the SPS filed a PIL in Supreme Court. In 2010 the Lokayukta concluded that between April 2006 and July 2010, the state had lost Rs.16,085 crores to illegal mining.  The court banned private mining from Bellary. Reddy brothers, their associates and the chief minister of Karnataka were arrested. The court also asked the government to come up with a reclamation plan and asked CEC to examine corporations like Jindal Steel and Adani

Future Challenges

The mining ban has affected around 50,000 people who want mining to continue for livelihood.  However, a healthy relationship between nature, culture and society is a must and benefits must be shared equitably. Activities like mining must not be given into private hands. The SPS is now working with the local community to develop alternative sources of income while also working towards the regeneration of ecology and agriculture.

Click here to read full report on Bellary Mining Issue

Sankalp
Freeing of Bonded Laborers

Sankalp is a volunteer group in Rajasthan with long standing record of working on behalf of marginalized and tribal communities for social reforms 

Issue Background

There are thousands of bonded laborers in India. Faced by dwindling livelihoods, they are enslaved by debts that start out small, but escalate horrendously, as they and their entire family toil for more than a lifetime. 

Process of Resolution

Sankalp organized a meeting of bonded laborers two years ago in which they encouraged them to come forward with their stories. Under pressure from many social elements, it was not easy for the laborers to speak of their plight. However, with consistent and earnest effort by  Sankalp volunteers, they did share their gut wrenching stories and in the process, incriminated the powers-that-be in the feudal village structure and exposed the structural flaws in poverty resolution agenda of modern society.

Challenges and final resolution

The authorities shamelessly questioned the authenticity of these stories and there was expected backlash from the unscrupulous moneylenders who needed their cheap labor. As the event was well covered by the media, representatives of Sonia Gandhi, the Rajasthan Chief Minister as well as other government officials visited the area. Jagrat Mahila Sangathan helped the laborers file applications following the procedures of the Bonded Laborer Act. Facts were exposed which resulted in a dramatic attention and subsequent development for this community.

Future Challenges

Obtaining freedom for over 140 bonded laborers has been one of the crowning achievements of Sankalp. They now want the state to hold surveys and commit to freeing all the bonded laborers in the entire state.

Click here to read full report on Sankalp project

Karuna Trust 
Primary Health Care Center

Karuna Trust is an organization engaged in integrated rural development running 25 Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres in all the districts of the state of Karnataka and 9 PHCs in Arunachal Pradesh (AP). Since 2007 IFA has supported two PHCs in AP. 
The Mengio center and the Jeying center comprising of 54 villages are two of the most remote regions in AP.


Issue Background

Mengio is an area where 40 villages have no proper roads, have intermittent electricity, and no reliable means of communication. A doctor in Mengio, Arunachal Pradesh, has to walk 7 hours to get to some of the villages, when it is not raining, and the roads have not been swept away by the floods. Routine health care in rural India remains a distant luxury

Process of Resolution

A $6,000 annual grant from IFA for each health center enables the Karuna Trust to tap into $54,000 in matching State grants. They provide basic health care services for thousands of people and continue to invest in community based, people oriented, and culturally acceptable methods with a minimum cost to the community.

Challenges and final resolution

Getting to a village involves trekking for at least half-a-day.  The PHC in Jeying, has seen a sharp drop in outpatient visits. Regular home visits, health camps, immunization drives, and malaria control initiatives have ensured better overall health. Under the aegis of IFA, Karuna Trust continues to alleviate pain and suffering as less people now fall ill. The incidence of malaria was down to 10% in 4 years from the beginning of operations of the PHC

Future

The Karuna trust continues to grow and spread. It now operates 30 centers in Karnataka alone, and continues to branch out to different states each year. It plans to expand services to almost 60 centers in six states and will need additional funds from NGOs around the world.

Media Update

Dr H Sudarshan, founder of karuna Trust was recently recognized for 

Click here to read full report on Karuna Trust's Primary Health Center
"How wonderful it is that we need not wait a single moment before starting to improve the world" 
- Anne Frank