CSE Media Fellowships for Indian journalists Minor Minerals, Major Story

Last date for receiving finished applications: November 30, 2015

Fellowship period: One month (December 10, 2015-January 10, 2016)

Number of fellowships on offer: 8

Fellowship grant amount: Rs 75,000 per head

Sand. Clay. Building stones. Gravel…. India now produces 55 types of minor minerals. The term “minor” may suggest these being positioned as a tiny speck on the mining landscape, but in reality minor minerals are quickly becoming the major story of the mining sector. Their demand is huge, especially due to the boom in the construction sector. For example, in Andhra Pradesh, the revenue earned from sand has gone up from Rs 61 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 127 crore in 2011-12.

However, the sector remains poorly regulated and accounted for. There is very little data on the scale of production, poor information on the sale proceeds from such minerals, or the royalty received. Left unleashed, mining activities associated with excavation of minor minerals have also proved severely detrimental for environment. Unlike the scourge of illegal mining, which has been relatively well covered, these aspects remain shadowy, with little information on them seeping out.

It is time to change that. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) invites applications from journalists based and working in India to research and report on these lesser known aspects of minor minerals. The economics of the sector. The regulatory systems and processes. The environmental fallouts. And whatever else that has remained out of bounds.

How to apply

Send us your application on or before November 30, 2015 accompanied by the following documents: