-BBC   Forced labour generates illegal profits of at least $150bn (£90bn; 110bn euros) a year, a study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) says. The profits are far higher than previous estimates and the ILO wants governments to tackle the problem. Some 21 million people worldwide are in forced labour, it says, with migrant workers most vulnerable. Over half of all forced labourers work in Asia, with 18% in Africa and almost 10% in...

-The Times of India   JAIPUR: The National Green Tribunal's central zone bench in Bhopal has banned mining activities in 84 stone and marble quarries located inside and within 1 km radius of the Sariska tiger reserve and adjoining Jamuaramgarh sanctuary. While criticizing the Rajasthan government for unabated Illegal Mining in the Aravalli hills, including Sariska, the NGT also flayed Haryana for using illegally mined stones. Friday's order followed written submissions by the...

-The Business Standard SC may have lifted the ban on mining in the state but it will be a while before exports resume in right earnest A lot was riding on Goa's iron ore mines till the Supreme Court clamped down on them in September 2012. As much as 40 million tonnes of iron ore was being mined every year. Fifteen thousand people worked in these mines. Another 80,000 operated the...

-Down to Earth   Hearing on plea to stay Illegal Mining to be taken up next Monday. Petitioners argue that the illegally recovered wealth from the miners should be utilised for the development of the backward mining districts in Odisha On the day it pronounced its verdict on Illegal Mining in Goa, the Supreme Court decided to look into Illegal Mining in Odisha as well. On Monday, the apex court issued notices to...

-The Telegraph Shillong: The National Green Tribunal has ordered a stop to rat-hole coal mining across Meghalaya and it observed that neither the government nor the people were benefiting from "Illegal Mining" except the "coal mafias" while warning against illegal transportation of the mineral. This is the latest instance that a national authority has intervened in the traditional and unscientific form of coal mining that has been the order of the day...