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Centre Delays Green Nod for Limestone Mining Near Great Indian Bustard Habitat
Developing
In Short: The Environment Ministry has deferred environmental clearance for a limestone mine near a Great Indian Bustard habitat in Rajasthan, pending revisions to the mining plan.
The Environment Ministry has deferred environmental clearance for a limestone mine near a Great Indian Bustard habitat in Rajasthan, pending revisions to the mining plan. According to the minutes of the meeting, the Indian Bureau of Mines had approved a mining plan for 2.99 metric tonnes per annum, which the Environment Ministry had previously granted preliminary approval. However, an expert panel noted that the approved mining plan was not in line with the Terms of Reference and directed that the information be revised.
The proposed mine site and cement plant area are located near the ecologically sensitive area, according to a Wildlife Institute of India (WII) study. The Great Indian Bustard priority area is situated about 1.77 km away from the proposed mining site. WII has said in its recommendations that the Ramgarh mine and its direct impact zone "lie outside the priority GIB area… and does not constitute critical GIB habitat." The WII has suggested compensatory conservation measures around Netsi, particularly, to offset mining disturbances, and steps for the protection of grassland and removal of invasive species.
The panel also asked the company to follow the WII recommendation that suggests materials be transported using existing road infrastructure to minimize disturbance to suitable habitats in surrounding areas. The company has proposed a cement plant next to the mining block that will utilize the excavated limestone. The project proposes to mine 5.4 million tonnes of limestone per annum over a 256-hectare mine in Ramgarh, Jaisalmer. The company has also proposed to sell Steel Melting Shop grade limestone to the steel industry and occasionally transport it by trucks via National Highway-68 to Sanu railway station.
What's still developing
- “While new roads may be constructed within the lease area as per operational requirements, it must be ensured that any proposed road alignment does not pass through or near any small grassland patches,” the WII has said.
- A critically endangered species, just about 130 Great Indian Bustards live in the wild in India currently.
- An expert panel of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has put on hold the green clearance to a Dalmia Bharat Green Vision Limited limestone mine.
- The panel has sought a revision in the mining plan to match the approved production capacity.
Sources
- The Indian Expresslink