Mines are mine

After independence the use of this pink sandstone which was in abundance around
Jodhpur became popular and almost all buildings in jodhpur are made by this stones.
Due to rapid increase in population and fast industrial growth the mining of these stones
became one of the principal industry of Jodhpur.

The government had other priorities and people engaged in mining were their friends and
relatives. No check and balance resulted in unscrupulous, unsystematic rampant mining
causing some permanent and un recoupable loss to the nature.

On 12 Oct 2010 TOI while writing about illegal mining operation in Sariska points out
“….This shows how powerful and manipulative mining lobby is.”
The department of mines and geology and forest have found a circumvent route to help
mining lobby by deciding that anything less than 100m height is not hill while the order
passed by supreme court does not have any such provision or intention.

The whole mining belt is 30 kms long and 4-6 kms wide comprising of
villages Chonka-Barli-Kadamkandi-Kaliberi-Chopasani-Kailana-
Soorsagar-Jodhpur Fort-Kaga-Bhadasia-
Balsamand-Mandore-Beri dispersed in about 140 sq. km. in northeast,
north and west of Jodhpur city.Due to expansion of city limits of
Jodhpur all these area are in the vicinity of habitation. About 110 sq.
km. of area is under excessive stone mining operations for the last 3
decades.Rajasthan produces 10%of the world and 70%of India’s output
of soap stones.

If we have a look at mines map of Rajasthan and forest map of

Rajasthan we can see that most forested area is also most mined.A
little negligence now will cause irreparable damage to environment for
which coming generations will never forgive us.

Rain water is scarce in Jodhpur. In ancient time water harvesting was done in such a way
that all major water reservoirs of Jodhpur were connected by digging canals. All these
water canal system is totally distorted due to mining activities and ancient water
reservoirs are empty. Some of them have become garbage collection center of the city.
.Rajasthan has the highest number of mine leases in the country.
The authorities allot 35mx75meter mining query. The criterion of allotment is
ambiguous. The friends’ relatives and well wishers of political parties in power are the
beneficiaries. That is why no political will could ever be generated to regulate the mining
operations in eco friendly way.
Though there is dimension of length and breath which is also often violated, there is no
restriction to depth of mining. The miner can go to the depth he finds it economical to
excavate. Out of about 1000 mines 80% are in operation and 20% are inoperative or
abandoned. Abandoned mines leave a “cone” behind which is up to 15 meters in depth.
During monsoon all these mines are filled with water. In operative mines the pump is
used to keep mines functional but abandoned mines store water by blocking canals which
unfortunately goes waste.

The rubble is waste of mining causing another environmental detriment. The onus of
clearing waste is on miner ,a responsibility he shrusks. This rubble spreads in many
kilometers causing permanent damage to habitat .Even some famous monument like
panchkunda royal cenotaphs & Balsamand fort are under threat of perish.

The sandstone is mined in the form of ceiling slits,pillars,slabs,wall stones,road

concrete .Big boulders are used to make building accessories like
mashes,pillars.fountains,lamps and statutes.The mined stone is transported by
trucks,tractors,bullock carts and camel carts to near by net work of stone sellers known as
Aakli.

About 325 trucks are exclusively engaged in transporting stones from queries to various
sites within city area causing tremendous air pollution. The roads to various mines are
kachcha and mining operations also cause lot of dust smoke and other particles. The
continuous exposure of labor to this environment causes permanent health hazards like
silicosis and tuberculosis. No face mask is provided to these labors. Government or mine
lease holder does not provide any free or reimbursable medical facilities to mine workers.
Even though they work under risk of their life and everyday some accidents occur no
insurance facilities are provided to them.

Numbers of workers reported that mine workers after working for few years become
physically handicapped and invalid to work at the age of 40 to 45 years.

The noise pollution is much beyond prescribed limits of human tolerance.

About 1000 children are also employed in the mining operations violating the rules of
children employment.

Government and mine owners shift the blame of poor health conditions of labors on their
habit of alcohol and opium consumption.It is moral and social responsibility of
government to make it a legal responsibility of mine owners to watch and take care of
health problems of mine workers.

Many mine workers are bonded labors. They or their forefathers borrowed money and put
thumb mark on some papers and their life is now owned by mine lease holders.
These mine workers are strong vote bank ready to vote for politicians who can convince
them that they will protect mining in Rajasthan and ensure it goes on.

Media is constantly exposing the nexus between lease holders and politicians. In fact in
last 30 years almost all mine ministers have faced the charges of corruption. Media
activism has led supreme court to pass judgment and declare forest areas of aravali as
graveyard of wildlife.

It is also surprising to see that in mining area notice board are displayed by forest
department and defenses declaring the area as prohibited. The area is sensitive due to
location of radar and air force base but activities around it make it volatile especially
when the border of Pakistan is in proximity.

The control group area maintained by CAZRI gives a good contrast to what havoc we are
playing with nature. The lush green oasis amongst naked scorched rocks is eye soothing.
Just beyond this forest and rocks is the kingdom of unscrupulous uncivilized human race
where mine owners live a life of king and labors reminds you of barbarian age.

It is essential to adopt scientific and systematic mining methods which should include
regeneration of the mining blights and minimizing the damage to the environment both
natural and social.

All shall be well if economy and ecology ,development and environment go hand in
hand.

By-Vipin Behari
Smell Points
17E/283 Chopasani Housing Board
Jodhpur,Rajasthan
India
smellpoints@gmail.com

Mobile-09928805905