Reports of Our State – Odisha

Odisha as the Hub of Mines and Minerals

Odisha, positioned on India’s eastern coast, stands as one of the nation’s richest states in mineral resources. Its landscape holds vast reserves of chromite, iron ore, manganese, bauxite, and coal. Districts such as Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Angul, Jharsuguda, and Jajpur have become synonymous with industrial growth. Steel plants, aluminium smelters, and thermal power stations mark the state’s industrial spine.
However, the economic progress driven by these resources comes with substantial socio-environmental implications. Mining and industrial discharges have altered local hydrology, degraded soils, and introduced heavy metals into riverine and groundwater systems. Communities near industrial zones often face dual challenges—economic dependency on industries and increasing health risks from pollution.

Demographic, Geographic, and Economic Profile

Odisha’s population exceeds 45 million, with a large share residing in rural and tribal regions. The state’s diverse topography—coastal plains, plateau zones, and forested hills—creates a mosaic of livelihoods shaped by geography. Agriculture, fishing, and forest-based activities coexist with rapid industrialization.

Marginalised Communities and Regional Disparities

Many of Odisha’s industrial and mining belts overlap with regions inhabited by Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. Communities such as the Kondh, Saora, Juang, and Dongria Kondh rely on forests and local water sources for sustenance. Yet, these areas are among the most environmentally stressed due to mining expansion. Health disparities, displacement, and contamination-related illnesses remain widespread.

Exploration of Mines in Tribal Regions

Exploration activities in forested and tribal regions often bypass local consent and ecological safeguards. The tension between economic aspirations and traditional livelihoods creates persistent conflicts. Industrial waste management remains inadequate, intensifying the vulnerability of both ecosystems and communities.

Zone-Specific Issues

Combined Region Studies on Metal Contamination in Odisha

Research on Odisha’s contamination patterns reveals multi-metal exposure risks. Studies across districts like Jajpur, Angul, Jharsuguda, and Keonjhar show elevated levels of Cr(VI), Fe, Mn, Pb, and Al in surface and groundwater. These findings highlight systemic challenges in industrial waste disposal and regulatory enforcement.

Initial Studies

The first systematic exploration into Odisha’s heavy metal burden was documented in the pioneering work of Bibhu Prasad et al. (reference: Bibhu Prasad, et al., 2006), which mapped chromium contamination and linked it to chromite mining waste. This study laid the groundwork for future risk assessments and health surveys in Jajpur and adjoining districts.

Maps of the Regions

Visual mappings of contamination zones show clustering of metal hotspots along the Brahmani and Baitarani basins, indicating hydrological transport of mining effluents. These regional maps continue to inform environmental monitoring and policy planning.

Sukinda

The Sukinda Valley in Jajpur district remains one of the most prominent examples of chromium contamination worldwide. Open-cast mining has caused extensive leaching of hexavalent chromium into surface water and aquifers. Local communities rely on these water sources, facing chronic exposure risks. Although several remediation efforts have been attempted—such as bioremediation trials and improved waste containment—most have faced logistical and economic barriers.

Reports from Sukinda Region

Multiple assessments, including those by CPCB and independent environmental research groups, confirm chromium levels exceeding permissible limits. Field reports also link contamination to health anomalies, including skin lesions, gastrointestinal distress, and respiratory issues. These findings underscore the urgency for sustainable, community-based remediation such as POSEIDON’s decentralized model.

IKS (Indigenous Knowledge Systems) of the State

Odisha’s indigenous knowledge offers deep ecological wisdom relevant to water management. Communities possess generational understanding of seasonal springs, soil filtration, and natural coagulants used for purifying water. Such practices, while often overlooked, hold potential for integration into modern remediation frameworks.
An interview with Dr. Ranjan Panda (IKS Document) highlighted how traditional rainwater harvesting and water-sharing ethics in tribal belts can complement modern decentralized water treatment systems, reinforcing sustainability and community ownership.