Download pdf - Quarrying and mining vis à vis environmental concerns in Kerala – thoughts on remedial strategies M P Muraleedharan Geological Survey of India

MuraleedharanMPQuarryingandminingenvironmentalconcernsinKeralaremedialstrategies

QuarryingandminingvisvisenvironmentalconcernsinKeralathoughtsonremedialstrategies

MPMuraleedharan

GeologicalSurveyofIndia(formerlywith),Trivandrum,IndiaEmail:[email protected]

Abstract. ThereareincreasingpublicconcernandfearinthestateofKeralaoverquarryingandmining operationsresultinginanunderlinedpublicmindsetthatthesewouldbedetrimentaltothewellbeingand sustenanceofthefuturegenerationsandsoshouldbebanned.Inotherwords,thestateisoversensitivetoany typeofquarryingandminingoperations.TheKeralaStateasawhole,isecologicallyfragilewith580kmof coastalbelt,coastparallel highrangesthatarepartofthemightyWesternGhats, interveningmidlands comprisingpedimentandtransitionalzone,forestlandspreadovertheuplands,41westand3eastflowing rivers,estuaries,lagoons,4to6monthsofmonsoonrainfall,extensivekoleandwetlandareas,andhigh density of population almost equally distributed all over the state. Although quarrying andmining are instrumentalincausingdamagetotheenvironmentapartfromeffectingecologicalimbalancesandhazardsto humanlife,theyarenecessaryevilswhenconsideredinthebackgroundthatthewholeofhumancivilization isdependentintrinsicallyontheearthresourcesandtheirrefinedproducts.Nosingletypeoflandusecan sustaintheenvironmentalongwithinterestsspecifictohumans.Whatisthereforereallyneededistopractice sustainability of environment by sequential land use modalities. Quarrying and mining are inevitable consideringtheincreasingdemandsforearthresources.Buildingstones,aggregatesandsteelaretheprincipal bulkoftheearthresourcesingreatdemand.Manyofthetermsusedinmineraleconomicstodescribeearth materialsandthesearchtotargettheirlocationsforcosteffectiveextractionarenotproperlyunderstoodby the public, media, bureaucracy and political leadership. Since Kerala is endowed with limited mineral resources, thenumberofminesformajormineralsisalsolimited.Whilebuildingstonescomeunderthe categoryofminormineral,chinaclay,mineralsand(widelyknownasblacksands),bauxite,aluminous laterite,limestone,limeshell,quartz/silicasandandallorescomeunderthecategoryofmajorminerals. TheMinesandMinerals(DevelopmentandRegulation)Act1957isthefirstpostindependentActwhichtried tosystematizeandregulatetheminingactivities throughoutthecountry.ThisActandtheKeralaMinor MineralConcessionRules1967takingcareofquarryingactivitiesinthestatehasbeenopentoamendments andmodificationsfromtimetotime.Notwithstandingwhatevermighthavehappenedinthepast,thefactof thedayisthatafterenactmentoftheserulesandregulations,thereareenoughmaterialonpaperwhichif implementedandexercisedproperlywouldputafull stoptoillegalquarryingandminingactivities. The Environmental Impact Notification S.O.1533 dt.14th September 2006 issued under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986takes careof all environmental issues when a quarrying or miningproject starts operating. The notification has made it mandatory to obtain environmental clearance for scheduled development projects classified under two categories A & B. The terms of Reference (TOR) for EnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA)studiesareelaborateandexhaustive.Illegalquarryingandmining activitieswhichmightcauseunduehazardstotheenvironment,ecosystemsandthesocialstructureingeneral canbeeffectivelyhaltediftheserulesandregulationsareimplementedwithapolitical,bureaucraticand judicialwillandethicstoensuretheprevalenceandestablishmentoforderthatwouldultimatelybenefitthe exchequerandnottheindividualswithinthesystem.Someofthepeculiaritiesoftheenvironmentandsocioeconomic conditions of Kerala will have to be addressed separately and prioritized under the General Conditions given in the MoEF Guidelines for EIA studies. Considering the density of population and environmentalfragilityofthestateofKerala,areasconfinedwithinlessthan5hectaresalsoneedtobe broughtundertheEnvironmentalClearancenotification.

Introduction

Quarryingandminingnodoubt,areinstrumentalincausingdamagetotheenvironmentapartfromeffectingecologicalimbalancesandhazardstohumanlife.Pristinelandscapes,climate,

ShajiE&PradeepkumarAP(Eds)2014 MineralResourcesofKerala Trivandrum:DeptofGeologyUnivofKeralaISBN9788192344904145


waterreservesandlifenurturingforestsandvegetalcoverarethewealthofthebiospherethatisto be preserved for posterity and which should not be frittered away through humanindiscretion. The Kerala State as a whole, is ecologically fragile with 16.4% of its totalgeographicareabeingcoastalland,28%forestlandwith41westflowingand3eastflowingrivers, 27estuaries, 7 lagoons, 580kmof coastal belt, 4 to6monthsof monsoonrainfall,extensivekoleandwetlandareas,andhighdensityofpopulationalmostequallydistributedalloverthestate.Thestateisoversensitivetoanytypeofquarryingandminingoperations.Thereareincreasingpublicconcernandfearovertheseoperationsoccasionallyhypedandnurturedbyvisualandprintmediamostlyduetohalfinformation,resultinginanalmostestablishedpublicmindset that these would be detrimental to the wellbeing and sustenance of the futuregenerationsandsoshouldbetotallybanned.

Astherearetwosidesforeverycoin,itisinterestingtodwellupontheothersideoftheissue. Unlikealllivingorganisms,humanlifeanddevelopmentareintrinsicallydependentonthe nonrenewable natural resources. Advancement of civilization is a distinct evolutionaryhuman attribute which inevitably has its fallouts on the subtleties of environment andecosystems. The term development nowadays has becomealmost synonymous with landbasedconstructions which includemultistoried multiplexes, parking lots, rail roads, expresshighways, aerodromes, harbours, residential apartments, villas, irrigationalhydelthermalprojects, power houses, drinking water schemes etc. and introducing of umpteen types ofcommunication and IT gadgets in daytoday life, which all require more than one nonrenewableresourcethathastobetappedfromtheeartheitherbyquarryingorbyopencastor undergroundmining.Thesocalledenvironmentalistswhobrandishtheirireatanyproposalforquarryingorminingaredoingsowithoutrealizingthatabanonextractingearthresourceswoulddrivethehumanracebacktothedarkeraswhenonehadtoroamaroundwithintheforestswearinggarmentsmadeupofleavesandwoodpeellivingontreetopdwellingsmadeupofwoodenlogs,stemsandleaves,andeatingonlyfruits.Nosingletypeoflandusecansustaintheenvironmentalongwiththeinterestsspecifictohumans.Whatisthereforereallyneededisto practice sustainability of environment by sequential land use modalities. Quarrying andminingareinevitableconsideringtheincreasingdemandsforearthresources.Buildingstones,aggregatesandsteelaretheprincipalbulkoftheearthresourcesingreatdemand.Miningofpreciousmetals,gemstonesandfossilfuelshavebecomeunquestionableprimeactivityfieldsofglobalcorporategiants.Evenwarsarebeingfoughtinsomeunderdevelopedcountriesbymoneypower for snatching and retaining the monopoly of mining, processing and marketing ofdiamonds,preciousmetalsandrareelementsliketantalumandniobiumknownasblackgold(Coltan)keepingdemocraticgovernanceandsocietallawandorderatbay,usingavarietyofgimmickssuchasfundingand inciting tribalstirs,civilwars,communalviolenceandunrest and other forms of revolts creating impenetrable facades of secrecy in the processes ofclandestine prospecting and mining of such commodities. (Eg: Blood diamonds, Conflictdiamonds,ColtanandBloodColtan)ThewestsdemandforColtanusedinmobilephonesandcomputers,isfundingthekillingsinCongo.Undertheclosewatchofrebelmilitias,childrenasyoungastenworkthemineshuntingfortheblackgold.(GoogleSearch).Itisaparadoxthatthesepeoplekeepprotectingtheforestlandfortheirselfishneedsanddonotcausedegradationtoenvironment.(Goodnewsforenvironmentalfundamentalists!).InthestateofKerala,seekingofaquarryingleaseforminormineralsisarelativelyeasytasksincetheawardofthesameisa decentralizedexerciseforwhichtherearenumerousoutletswherethedecisionmakingisdonebythelowerechelonsofthebureaucraticandpoliticalhierarchy.Thefactthatthetotalareaofallsuchoperationswouldbelessthan5hectares,itdoesntinviteanyenvironmentalclearancealso.Issuesofenvironmentalprotectionandecologicalsustenancefindlittlespaceinaprofitbusinessgratificationorientedscenario.SinceKeralaisendowedwithlimitedmineralresources,thenumberofminesformajormineralsisalsolimited.Keraliteswhilebeingaversetoanytype



ofquarryingorminingoperationinthestatehowever,willnotcompromisebyanymeansontheirneedsfordevelopmentalinfrastructure.QuarryingandminingaccordingtothemcanbedoneinotherpartsofIndiaortheworldfromwherealltheproductsshouldflowtotheirstate, buttheprimeactivitiesshouldnevereverbeontheirnativesoil.Thismindsetneedschangebyinculcatingmassawareness,elaboratingthefacts,realitiesandintricaciesofthewholeissue.

Backgroundanalysis

Thelackofpublicawarenessonquarryingandminingoperationshasmanyreasons.Manyofthetermsusedinmineraleconomicstodescribeearthmaterialsandthesearchtotargettheir locations for costeffective extraction are not properly understood by the public, media,bureaucracyandpoliticalleadership.Forthem,thetermminingengulfsallotherstepsleadingto shortlisting of such a location to extract an ore through step by step processes ofreconnaissance,surveying,prospectingandexplorationmeannothingofanyconsequence.Ofcourse,therearegeologicaltermsusedindifferentcontextsotherthanforthedescriptionofgeology. For example, the terms granite or metal mean differently to a pure geologypractitioner,amineraleconomistandacivilengineer.Tomediapersonsalso,manyofthetermsgo through the corridors of tangential understanding like any layman and hencemisinterpretationandconfusionarewidelydisseminated.Theyevenconfusebetweenquarryingand mining and geology and archeology. It is difficult for a layman to understand thedifferencebetweenquarryingandopencastminingorminormineralandmajormineral.It is notcommonknowledgethatwhilebuildingstonescomeunderthecategoryof minormineral,chinaclay,mineralsand(widelyknownasblacksands),bauxite,aluminouslaterite, limestone, lime shell, quartz/silica sand and all ores come under the category of majorminerals.Althoughquarryingandminingofearthresourceshavebeenrampantrightfromtheprehistorical times, bringing the processes leading to the mining of an ore on to a legalmonitoringframeworkwiththeideaofenvironmental sustainability, social acceptabilityandmonetaryprofitabilitytotheexchequerwithoutcausinghazardousanddisastroussituationstosocietyandecosystemshasbeenquite ayoungevolvingscenario. TheMinesandMinerals(DevelopmentandRegulation)Act1957(MMDR1957)isthefirstpostindependentActwhichtriedtosystematizeandregulatetheminingactivitiesthroughoutthecountry.ThisActandtheKeralaMinorMineralConcessionRules1967takingcareofquarryingoperationsinthestatehave been open to amendments and modifications from time to time. Applying forReconnaissancePermit,ProspectingLicenceandQuarrying/MiningLeaseareprogressivestepsand these operations cannot be done by private individuals or private companies withoutobtainingtherequiredpermit,licenceandleaserespectivelyfortheoperationinquestionaspertheprovisionsintheMMDR1957.Inspiteofthedisorderlymannerinwhichthequarryingandminingactivitiesmighthavehappenedinthepast,thefactofthedayisthatafterenactmentoftheserulesandregulations, thereareenoughmaterial onpaperwhich if implementedandfollowedproperlywouldputafullstoptoillegalandenvironmentdegradingprocesses.

Officialstepsleadingtotheelicitingofaminingleaseforamajormineraltobegonethroughbyaproponentaretoomanyincomparisontothegettingofaquarryingleasefora minormineral, the issuingauthoritiesofwhichareumpteeninnumber. Asalreadystated,awardingofquarryingleasesisadecentralizedpracticeandevenalowerlevel officialoramemberofapanchayatisempoweredtoissuethiswithoutsubjectingtheapplicationtoanyarduousscrutiny.Creepinginofarbitrarinessinthisprocesshasbeentheorderofthedayandcorruptionindexinthegrantingofquarryingleasesisunimaginablyhigh.Therearenoeffectivemonitoringsystemstocheckillegalquarryingoperationstoo.Incontrast,animpartialonlookerfeels that the steps for obtaining a mining lease being woven through the consents andclearancesofdifferentdepartments/ministriesofthecentralGovt.beforereferringitbacktothe



StateGovt.forissueoftheleasearedifficulttocircumvent,arefoolproofincontentandtimeconsumingtoachieve.Withouthavingaproperknowledgeandunderstandingofthequantumofprovenreservesoftheore,itsspatialoutlayandthecosteffectivenessinextractingit,noproponentwouldeverstepintothecomplicatedventureofseekingaminingleasetryingtojumpallsethurdlesunlessinamindsetofgambling.Assuchisthecase,itisdifficulttogivecredencetotherecentmediastoriesonthestateGovt.machinerysuccumbingtoamoneyedproponenttoissueMining lease, withoutgoingthroughanyof thecustomaryscreeningsteps. ThesaidpermitmighthavebeenforcarryingoutreconnaissanceandnotforMiningtheore.ItcanbeseenthatintheMMDRAct1957,thetermpermitissuffixedtotheactivityofreconnaissance only,andnogovernmentunderanycircumstanceisnotempoweredtoflouttheprovisionsinthis act. The next steps are getting licence for prospecting and lease for mining.Obviously,thenuanceinthemeaningsofthethreetermsisnotcleartothemediaandonefeelsthat even the apparently defenseless erstwhile authorities on whomcorruption charges forawardingminingpermithavebeenpinneddown,arealsooblivioustotherealmeaningsofthetermsreconnaissance, prospectingandminingandalsopermit, licence, andlease.(Theterms permit licence, and lease themselves denote the progressive stages leading to theminingprocess).Ontheotherhandiftheallegationsareproventobetrue,itwouldopenupaPandorasBoxcitingthattheofficialsfromthelowtothetoplevelsoftheIndianBureauofMines,MinistryofEnvironmentandForest,theagencieswhichcarriedouttheEIAs,thestakeholdersandmembersofthepublicwhoattendedthepublichearingconclaves,thestateGovt.agenciesuptothepoliticalHeadofthestateMinistryconcerned,actedinunisonandindulgedin conspiracy and corrupt practices to hoodwink the Aamaadmi and divided the fruits ofgratification received from the proponent among themselves to push through a miningapplicationwhichotherwisewouldhavehadtogothroughseveralscreeningstepsasstipulatedin theMinesandMinerals (Development andRegulation) Act 1957and theEnvironmentalImpact Notification S.O.1533 (E), dt.14th September 2006, issued under the Environment(Protection)Act1986.Thishoodwinkingcouldhavebeendoneeitherdeliberately,takingthegeneralignoranceofthepublicatlargeonthedifferencebetweenquarryingandminingrulesandprocessesorinadvertentlybyvestedintereststakingadvantageofthenaivetyofthoseinauthority,themediaandthepublic.Asharpandshrewdproponentperhapscouldhaveseenthebenefitsofthesituationdecidingtoextractthemajormineralundertheguiseofreconnaissancewithoutgoingthroughtheprocessesof submissionofmineplan, EIAstudiesandclearancethroughpublichearingandwithoutobtainingamininglease.

Existingregulations

Oursisademocracywherethereisnodearthofvisionaryrulesandregulationstosetorderlinessinanyrandomfield.Buttheexperiencehasbeenthattheimplementationofeachisstuddedwithproblems.Still, past experienceshavepromptedthehighestseatsofauthoritytoform,modifyandamendrulesfromtimetotimetosuitthesocioeconomicneedsofthetimesinlarger public interest. The MMDR1957 stipulates, No person shall undertake anyreconnaissance,prospectingorminingoperationsinanyarea,exceptunderandinaccordancewiththetermsandconditionsofreconnaissancepermitorofaprospectinglicenceor,asthecasemaybe,amininglease,grantedunderthisActandtherulesmadethereunder.Section15(1)oftheMinesandMinerals(DevelopmentandRegulation)ActhasempoweredtheStateGovernmenttoframerulesinrespectofminormineralsforregulatingthegrantofquarryingleasesorothermineralconcessionsandSection23Chasdelegatedthepowertomakerulesfor preventing illegalmining, transportationandstorageofminerals. TheKeralaMinorMineralConcessionRules1967wasframedbytheStateGovernmentincompliancewiththeseprovisos.Wheneveraminingleaseisgranted,theincumbentlesseehastoexecutealeasedeedinwhich



conditionsforminingthemineralarespecified.However,thecheckstoensurethatthelesseeiscarryingoutmininginaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheMinesAct1952andMetalliferousRegulations(MMR)1967leavemuchtobedesired.TheDirectorateofMinesSafetyundertheIndianBureauofMines,Govt.ofIndiaissupposedtocarryoutyearlysiteinspectionstopoint outviolationsifany,totheseActsandtodirectthelesseetocomplywithproposedremedial measures.Then,amechanismtoensurewhetherthesedirectivesarebeingcompliedwithornotbythelessee,isalsowanting.

InKerala,therearereportedly8000to10,000operatingquarriesforgraniteandlaterite(bothlegalandillegal)whichcatertothedomesticdemandsforbuildingstones,roadmetalandaggregates.Thenewconstructionsanddevelopmentalworkthatareininfantstagedemandhuge inputs (billions of tons) of stones andaggregate, enhancing bulk requirements of thematerialmanifold.Butnegativeoutcomesandadverseimpactsontheenvironmenteclipsethepositivefactthatquarryingcaterstotheseneedsofrawmaterialfordevelopment.Theneedofthehouristoaddressthenegativeoutcomeswithsitespecificremedialmeasurestokeeptheenvironmentinorder.Thenegativelanduseconsequencesofthesequarriesandabandonedpitssuchas theresidualfeaturesof hugepollutionof theenvironsthroughdust, flyingof blastfragments,dumpedrubblesandmetalandpiledriprap,seasonalandperennialwaterpools,reporteddrowningdeathsofchildren,adultsandlivestockinthepoolsandlastbutnottheleast,remnantscarsonthelandscapeandtopographywhichstandoutasgreateyesoresadverselyaffectthemindsetnotonlyofanenvironmentalist,buttheentiresociety.

ThephysicalsystemTheKeralaStateissituatedinthesouthwesternfringeofthesouthIndianPeninsularShield.Thehighlands intheeast, themidlandsandcoastal plains inthewestarethe longitudinalphysiographic divisions of the state. The Wayanad plateau and Munnar upland fall in thehighlands.Themidlandsaremostlycoveredbylateriteandthickweatheredpedogenicprofiles.Granites(InMineraleconomicsparlance)outcroponthehillranges,andmidlandandcoastaluplands. Ongoing quarrying activities flourish as also hundreds of abandoned granite andlaterite quarries remain unattended in this region. Apart from these, there are coastalsedimentaryformationscomprisingclays,sandstonesandmarinecarbonates(atsomeplaceswiththinseamsoflignite)andimpureclastics.Claymining,beachsandminingandbrickclayextractionarerampantinthelowlandsofthecoastalstretch.Hundredsofabandonedbrick/tileclaypitsoccurwithinthepaddyfieldsandlowlandsofthisstretchasalsoonthefloodplainsof several rivers needing immediate attention and rehabilitation. Theyoungest of sedimentaryformationsaresands,clays,molluscanshellbeds,andriverineandbeachalluvium.Theonlymineablemajormineralsinthestateareceramicclay,mineralandglasssands, bauxite and aluminous laterite, limestone, graphite, iron ore and gold. Many privateentrepreneurswhohadattemptedtogetminingleasesforsomeofthesemineralsinthepast had retracted their paths due to unforeseen administrative hurdles and societal resistance.Notwithstandingthereputationasawatersurplusstate,thestateexperienceswaterscarcityinpockets due to a variety of reasons. The highly dissectedand undulating topography, highsubsurface runoff, massiveness of geological formations, deforestation resulting in depletedinfiltration,removalofvegetalcoverandtheresultantdepletionofgroundwaterrechargeandunfavorablesubsurfacestorageconditionsarethefactorsresponsibleforshortageofwaterinsummerseason.Qualityproblemsduetosalinewaterincursionsalongriversandbackwaters,toxicandbiogeniccontaminationsfromanthropogenicwastesandputresciblematterincoastaland inlandbackwateraquifersetc. furtherleadstoscarcityofdrinkingwater. Thehighlandregionofthestateisvulnerabletoslopefailuresandresultantmasswastingduringadverseclimatic conditions leading to community risks that need site specific mitigation measures.



KeralafallsunderseismiczoneIIIwhereseismicactivityupto6.5inRichterscaleinexceptionalcasescanhappen.

Environmentalclearanceforminingprojects

Itisneedlesstosaythattheenvironmentalimpactsofaproposedprojecthastobeassessedindetail to clear all apprehensions on the adversities, risks as also to determine the costeffectiveness.ItisinthiscontextthattheGovt.ofIndiahascomeupwithEnvironmentalImpactNotifications.TheEnvironmentalImpactNotificationS.O.1533dt.14thSeptember2006wasissuedbytheGovt.ofIndiaundertheEnvironment(Protection)Act1986.Thenotificationhasmadeitmandatory to obtain environmental clearance for scheduled development projects classifiedundertwocategoriesA&B.CategoryAprojects(includingexpansionandmodernizationofexistingprojects)morethan50hectaresofminingleaseareaandAsbestosminingirrespectiveofminingarea(Inthecaseofcoal,categoryAismorethan150hectares;5150categoryB) requireclearancefromtheMinistryofEnvironmentandForest(MoEF),Govt.ofIndiaandforcategory B550 hectares from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority(SEIAA).Miningleasearealessthan5hectaresisnotcoveredundertheEIANotification,2006.The technical EIA guidance manual of MoEF for mining of minerals addresses the relatedenvironmentalconcernsdulytakingintoconsiderationvariousaspectsandiscommonforallthesectors of infrastructure and industrial development projects. The document is to provideenvironmentalguidancetoorganizationsplanningminingofmineralsandeventhechoiceofmining method whether opencast or underground depends on the geologic, hydrological,geotechnical, geographic, economic, technological, environmental, safety, socio political andfinancialconsiderationsisclassifiedinthefornecessaryclearance(Table1).UnderGeneralConditions,anyminingprojecteveniflistedincategoryBwillbetreatedascategoryA,ifitislocatedwholeorinpartwithin10kmfromtheboundaryof

(i)ProtectedareasnotifiedundertheWildlife(Protection)Act,1972(ii)CriticallypollutedareasasnotifiedbytheCentralPollutionControlBoardfromtimetotime.(iii)Notifiedecosensitiveareas(iv)Interstateboundariesandinternationalboundaries.Thefirststepoftheenvironmental clearanceprocessofaproject isscreeninginwhichit isexaminedwhetheritrequiresenvironmentalclearanceornot.Thefollowingaretheprogressivesteps:(i)InitialinformationbytheproponentinForm1(ii)EAC(StateorCentral)decidesTermsofReference(TOR)whichshouldbecoveredintheEIA(iii)EIAstudies(iv)DraftEIAputinpublicdomain(a)Publichearingatthesiteor incloseproximity.(b)Obtainresponsesinwritingfromconcernedpersonshavingstakeintheenvironmentalaspectsoftheprojectandactivity.(v)Feedback(vi)EIAmodifiedbasedonthefeedback.(vii)EACapprovesorrejectstheprojects.

Environmentalclearancewhengivenistimeboundandisvalidforaperiodof30years.(EIAGuidanceManualMiningofMinerals2009ofMoEF).TheTermsofReference(TOR)forEIAstudies(Table2)areelaborate,exhaustiveanddwellupongeology(localandregional),soil,topographyanddrainage,qualityofreserves,proposedmining,typesofmining,generalfeatures



suchassurfacedrainagepattern,vehiculartrafficdensity,beneficiationandprocessingmodes,township,power,watersupplyandotherinfrastructure,manpowerandprojectimplementationschedule/stages.Accessibilitytolargewaterbodyisalsoanimportantcomponent.Assessmentofairenvironment,waterenvironment,waterconsumptionand

Table1.aStepsinenvironmentalclearanceinminingprojects



Table1.bStepsinenvironmentalclearanceinminingprojects

sources, biological environment (wildlife and avifauna), noise environment, socioeconomicenvironment, public utilities andsitespecific features etc. needs tobedone ingreat detail.Specificconditionssuchasnearnesstowaterbody/reservoir(Studyrequiredisanalysisofthedetails of hydrogeology and hydrology), nearness to forest (study required is on details of



conservation plan), nearness to township (study required is on blasting vibration) andGroundwaterscarcityare(studyrequirediscollectionandcollationofthedetailsof

Table2.EIAguidancemanualofMoEFwithTOR.

groundwateravailabilityandrecharge).TheTORfortheEIAstudiesalsostipulatebriefingsinthe report on Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures, EnvironmentalMonitoring Programme, Risk Analysis and disaster Management Plan, Environmental CostbenefitAnalysisandEnvironmentManagementPlan(EMP).



DiscussionandconclusionInanutshell,itisnotdifficulttoseethepainstakingeffortsonthepartoflawmakerstoaddressallissuesofcontentionanddisputebeforeallowinganyproponenttoincitescarsandholesintheearthenvironmentforaprofitbasedpursuit.Butthequestioniswhethertheserulesandregulationsjustremainonpaperornotwhiletheproponentandthoseinauthorityapparentlyplayahideandseekgametowardsallenvironmentalprotectionmeasuresandthesocietyfeelshoodwinkedwhileseeingnoneoftheissuesbeingaddressedproperly.

Table2.EIAguidancemanualofMoEFwithTOR(contd...).



TheMinesandMinerals(ProtectionandRegulation)Act1957andtheKeralaMinorMineralConcessionRules1967whicharepostindependenceafterthoughtstoregulatequarryingandminingthatwentonunabatedlywithlittleornoenvironmentalconsiderationstillthen,havebeenprogressivelycomplementedandsupplementedbyahostofparallelregulationswithaviewtosustainingandmanagingenvironment andecosystemswhilealsoseeing thatearthresourceingredientssovitaltohumandevelopmentandenhancementofcivilizationarealsotappedsimultaneously.

Table2.EIAguidancemanualofMoEFwithTOR(contd...)



Irrespectiveofthemodalitiesofquarryingandminingoperationsinvogueinthepastpriortoenactingoftheserulesandregulations,thepresentscenarioisthattheirproperimplementation,crosschecks, monitoring and followuparewhat need tobedone toensureenvironmentalsustenancetothedesiredlevel.Illegalquarryingandminingactivitieswhichmightcauseunduehazardstotheenvironment,ecosystemsandsocialordercanbeeffectivelyhaltediftheserulesandregulationsareimplementedwithapolitical,bureaucraticandjudicialwilltoensuretheprevalenceandestablishmentoforderthatwouldultimatelybenefittheexchequerandnottheTable2.EIAguidancemanualofMoEFwithTOR(contd...).

individuals within the system. Some amendments to the rules and regulations in themethodologyofEIAstudiestosuittheuniquesocioeconomicconditionsofKeralawheredensityofpopulationisveryhighhavetobebroughtundertheGeneralConditionsintheGuidanceDocument.Asofnow,anarealessthan5hectaresisnotcoveredundertheEIANotificationandso,environmentalclearancedoesnothavetobeobtainedinsuchcases.Thequarryingactivityisontherise,mainlybecauseofthissituation,causingenvironmentalissues.InKeralaStatewheredensityofpopulationishigh,suitableamendmenthastobedoneinthecaseofthisclauseandintroducingthemandatoryconditionofEIAclearancewouldhelpclearpublicapprehensionstoagreatextent.Animpartialobserverisstaggeredtofindthevastnessandenormityofstepsaproponenthastogothroughbeforethegreensignalformininganymajormineralultimatelyreacheshim.Itisdifficulttoimaginethatcircumventingthesestepsispossible.Butwhenmediastoriesoffloutingtherulesandregulationsandreapingofunduemonetaryadvantagebythoseinauthorityandcertainlobbiesreachthegeneralpublic,itistherightofavigilantcitizentotrytofindoutastowhethersuchaneventreallyhappened,andifhappenedwhatwerethefactors



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