20. Socio-economic Environmental Sustainability and Indian Mining Industry—A Perspective

Environmental degradation and socio-economic issues are the most significant areas of great concern. In an industrial area, it has direct linkages and visible results on the social fabric. An in-depth understanding of the environment and its degradation reveals that the impact could be caused on air, water, land and any other contributory component of the earth system, either biotic or abiotic. Since the socio-economic impacts are from among the many, in this chapter of book, the author has tried to concentrate and describe the socio-economic aspects only that deals with the sustainability concerning the Indian mining industry. In recent decades, rapid industrialization, progressive development has left innumerable and alarming impacts on the ecology and environment and it is evident that to progress holistically, environment protection and societal development must go hand-in-hand. No strategy to tackle the environmental challenges is complete without the coverage of societal parameters; hence, this topic in the book has relevance and benefits. The socio-economic dimensions of the environment are immensely helpful in terms of raising the standard of living, employment generation and literacy enhancement which are, of course, very serious issues for society. As evident, different regions have different parameters for the community and region development, it is necessary that an in-depth and site-specific understanding shall be made. In this chapter, the author has defined the methodology of socio-economic impact assessment and evaluation, the framework for environmental sustainability to tackle the environmental degradation menace, industry–community relation, etc., emphasizing that mining enterprises are useful for the societal development of rural areas, where mines are generally located. To cater for the progress of society, we must address the social issues and challenges more diligently. By doing so, the major issues of industrial unrest can be addressed properly for the masses. It should also be realized that socio-economic environment impact evaluation and analysis, ignored mostly, shall be handled on priority.