BAUXITE MINING, STRUCTURAL INEQUALITIES, AND HEALTH RISKS: A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY AMONG THE ASUR TRIBE OF JHARKHAND

Jharkhand, formed in 2000, is home to a significant Scheduled Tribe population, including the Asur tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) primarily residing in the Bishunpur block of Gumla district. Historically known for iron-smelting, the Asurs later shifted to agriculture and forest-based livelihoods following the decline of their traditional occupation. The recent expansion of bauxite mining in their ancestral lands has disrupted their ecological environment, livelihoods, and social structure, leading to emerging patterns of physical and psychological diseases. While existing studies have examined environmental degradation, displacement, and general health issues in mining regions, no comprehensive sociological study has specifically analysed how mining-induced structural inequalities are reshaping disease patterns, family systems, and healthcare access among the Asur tribe in the Bishunpur block. This study aims to identify emerging diseases and examine the impact of mining on displacement, intergenerational relations, and support systems. The research adopts a qualitative, exploratory case study approach, drawing on primary data collected through structured surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions with household heads, youth, elders, and key informants, and secondary data from Census, NFHS, and government reports. Findings reveal extreme poverty, livelihood insecurity, environmental degradation, rising respiratory illnesses, tuberculosis, malaria, skin diseases, malnutrition, mental stress, limited healthcare access, displacement, and cultural disruption. The study concludes that bauxite mining has reinforced structural inequality, marginalisation, and health vulnerability rather than promoting inclusive development among the Asur tribe.