Habits, Experiences and Perceptions of Residents of a Mining Dependent Locality: A study on the basis of Religion of the Residents

Until recently mining played an important role in the economy of Goa (India). Presently operations of the mining industry are under suspension. The present paper brings out some effects of mining on the residents of a locality substantially dependent on the mining industry. In addition to knowing about select habits, experiences and perceptions, the focus of this paper is to find if there was any significant influence of mining on the residents on the basis of their religion with regards to issues like employment, household income, school dropouts, addictions, counseling facilities, health problems etc. Making use of chi square analysis the study found that while by and large the impacts were religion neutral, there were a few areas such as those related to addictions and health problems which were substantially religion dependent. On the basis of the study findings the paper provides suggestions for the benefit of the local community.