As India sets its sights on becoming a nuclear power giant with a projected goal of generating 63 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 3032, there is a darker, often unspoken cost fueling this ambition- the lives and land of Jadugora, a small tribal village in Jharkhand. You won't see or hear about this on regular basis, but there are tribes and generations suffering as a result of India's power ambitions.
What was once a tranquil tribal settlement nestled in the forests of Jharkhand is now often referred to as India’s nuclear graveyard. This transformation began in 1951, when uranium deposits were first discovered in the region. By 1967, India’s first uranium mine was operational in Jadugora- setting off a chain of irreversible changes for the region and its people.
Living amid radiation
The extraction and processing of uranium involve serious environmental and health risks. Dust particles and radon gas, released during mining, are routinely inhaled by workers and residents alike. However, the danger doesn’t end there.
The radioactive waste produced is stored in tailing ponds, open-air slurry reservoirs dangerously close to human habitation. Over the years, villages surrounding these ponds have reported increased levels of disease and deformities. Once-dismissed local legends about "cursed forests" near these sites are now being reinterpreted in the light of scientific findings on radiation exposure.
A health crisis unfolds
Generations in Jadugora have paid a heavy price. Reports and studies have painted a grim picture:
1. According to a 2007 survey by Indian Doctors for Peace and Development, congenital deformities in newborns in uranium-affected villages were almost double compared to non-impacted areas.
2. The same study found higher rates of infertility, miscarriages, and shortened life expectancy.
3. Residents, including children, suffer from skin disorders, skeletal deformities, and blood abnormalities.
4. There are cases of children born with enlarged heads, misshapen limbs, and chronic respiratory issues.
5. Cancer rates in the region are significantly higher, especially among families living in the shadow of the mines.
The loss of culture and sacred spaces
Beyond the devastating human impact, Jadugora’s ecological and cultural landscape has also suffered. In villages like Chatikotcha, sacred groves -known locally as "jaherthans" -have been flooded or damaged due to the expansion of tailing ponds. These groves are not merely trees to the tribal communities; they are integral to their spiritual and cultural identity.
For decades, the suffering in Jadugora was dismissed or attributed to superstition. But as awareness spreads and scientific studies validate the lived experiences of villagers, there is growing demand for accountability, rehabilitation, and environmental justice.
While the nation's pursuit of energy independence is understandable, it raises an essential question -can progress be called true progress if it comes at the cost of human lives and heritage?
