For the 12 students of the Sonshi Government Primary School in Sattari, playing with mining dust is not an option. It is the only option.

GOAMAP convenor, Mr Sebastian Rodrigues, in a presentation highlighted how five mining companies surrounding the school have violated environmental laws. There is no playground or any open space in front of the school. Students step out of their classrooms into the thick of mining activities.

The study shows mining overburden has been dumped upto 10 metres from the steps of the school. There has been no running water in the school ever since Sesa Goa beneficiation  plant started operating next to the school somewhere in 2003. 

The school was set up in 1964 and has a sole teacher for the last eight years. The nearest school is about 10 kilometers away.