Tell-All
We asked: Recent incidents of hill collapse in Jharkhand and Rajasthan have exposed the vulnerability of even plateau areas to illegal mining activity. What do you think should be done to curb the mining mafia?
Mining mafia is the new age terrorism. The mining mafia is one of the most organized criminal syndicates in the country and it is equally a recipe to create man-made disasters leading to loss of human lives and resources across the world and in India. We should always remember that nature replies! The landslides, the floods, the hill collapse, the earthquakes and all other so-called natural disasters are in reality a way of nature’s reply. Mankind has become so selfish and self-centred that it has forgotten the art of balance which is leading to imbalance in nature and our lives. To meet the greedy needs of specific classes the toll is actually borne by the masses and equally by the environment and wildlife. Mining effects are not selective, confined just to hills and plateaus. The the overall environment and other specifics like air, water, soil quality degradation and pollution and even extinction of species and habitats in extreme cases are impacted. We need to understand that these contemporary issues are complex in nature and solving them is not simple. However, in real time one of the most important things is to actually accept and acknowledge the fact that the pressure we are putting on the earth has already crossed all limits and we have to actually be prepared for any major disaster which will be waiting for us anywhere in land, water or air. It is not that there are no laws but the problem is in implementation and execution which is not taking place the way it should as per the real requirement on ground zero. Similarly, we also need to understand that unfortunately our pillars of democracy are not going hand in hand and therefore there is a serious need of legislature, executive, judiciary and media to go hand in hand which in itself appears to be an gigantic task. There are existing laws that need modification and new laws that need formation, introduction and execution. We are somewhere forgetting that the world is no longer the same as it was and will never be and therefore we will have to learn the art of evolution to survive or prepare for extinction in some or the other way for sure. Lastly, we also need to make sure that the power of law and bureaucracy is not restricted and controlled by political pressure and influence which is one of the primary and major hurdles in fighting against the mining mafia. Geologists have already studied and warned us about what our actions are leading to and what else they can lead to. It is high time we set our priorities and align our actions in accordance with the larger welfare of the planet and not just mankind. Corruption and mining mafia are the detected cancers of the earth and they need to be eliminated at the earliest stage. We have to wake up to the reality of prohibition, restriction and ban and this is the only way ahead. With so much positive development in science and technology today, we need to make it a priority to put less pressure on natural resources and opt for artificial ones and only this approach has the potential to give us a breather to figure out the tremendous disasters we have created and wait for more to occur. -Adv. Pawan Satyaprakash Sharma, founder & president –RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare). The writer has been actively involved in wildlife conservation and environmental protection activities and initiatives at individual and organizational levels. He has been a part of several government initiatives and policy-making tasks supporting wildlife conservation and animal protection. The views expressed are personal.
The recent incidents of hill collapse in Jharkhand and Rajasthan have once again exposed the devastating consequences of illegal mining. What is most disturbing is that even plateau regions, once considered geologically stable, are now vulnerable due to unregulated exploitation. This menace not only destroys the environment but also endangers human lives and undermines governance. To curb the mining mafia, a comprehensive and multi-pronged strategy is essential. India has adequate mining laws, but their weak enforcement allows mafias to flourish. Zero tolerance for illegal mining is crucial. Mere cosmetic raids or symbolic fines do not work against entrenched cartels. Instead, there must be consistent ground-level vigilance, backed by deterrent penalties that hurt profits. Special task forces comprising police, mining officials and environmental experts should be created to monitor violations, seize illegally extracted minerals and ensure swift punitive action. Technology can be a game changer. Satellite imagery, drone monitoring, and GPS-based tracking of mining trucks can significantly enhance transparency. Real-time digital monitoring of mines through centralized platforms would make it far harder for mafias to operate undetected. A few states, such as Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, have already experimented with such systems, showing promising results. What is needed now is a nationwide scale-up of these measures, with adequate funding and technical expertise. Illegal mining rarely thrives without the support—or at least the silence—of local officials. In many regions, the mafia develop a symbiotic relationship with politicians, police and district administrations. Breaking this nexus is crucial. A system of strict accountability must be enforced, wherein district magistrates and mining officers are held directly responsible for violations in their jurisdiction. Regular audits by independent agencies and the formation of vigilance committees, including civil society representatives, can reduce misuse of power and expose corruption. The communities most affected by illegal mining are often the weakest. Villagers lose fertile land, forests, water sources and sometimes even their homes. They also suffer from air pollution, groundwater depletion and health hazards. Yet, their voices are often ignored. Empowering local communities with awareness, legal rights and mechanisms for reporting violations can transform them into active watchdogs. Social audits, public hearings and community-based monitoring committees can ensure grassroots participation in protecting the environment. When locals become stakeholders in conservation, the mafia finds it harder to operate. At its root, illegal mining is an economic problem as much as a legal one. It thrives because of two factors: the insatiable demand for cheap construction materials such as sand and stone and the availability of cheap labour in areas where alternative livelihoods are scarce. Unless these structural factors are addressed, mafias will find ways to exploit the system. Promoting sustainable quarrying practices, mandating the use of recycled materials in construction and investing in eco-friendly alternatives can reduce demand pressures. On the supply side, generating alternative employment opportunities through skill development, rural industries and green jobs can reduce the dependence of unskilled workers on mining mafias for income. Finally, no set of reforms can succeed without political determination. The mining mafia often enjoys political patronage, with many leaders directly or indirectly benefitting from illegal revenues. Unless politics is de-criminalized and transparency is ensured in decision-making, enforcement will remain half-hearted. Stringent penalties for political collusion, transparent auctioning of mining rights and strong whistle-blower protection mechanisms are vital to dismantle the mafia’s influence. The political class must realize that protecting natural resources is not just an environmental imperative but a governance issue tied to long-term national stability. The hill collapses in Jharkhand and Rajasthan are not merely natural tragedies; they are man-made disasters, born of greed, negligence and corruption. They are stark reminders that unchecked exploitation of land comes at a terrible cost to both nature and people. If India is serious about sustainable development, it cannot allow the mining mafia to dictate terms. The way forward lies in a blend of strong law enforcement, smart use of technology, accountable governance, empowered communities, viable economic alternatives and above all, political will. Protecting our hills, forests, and plateaus is not just about environmental conservation; it is about safeguarding the foundations of our society and economy. More importantly, it is a moral responsibility we owe to future generations. Only when the state acts decisively and society stands united, can the stranglehold of the mining mafia be broken. - H.N. Singh,Faculty Lions International, Member SPHEEHA, Naturalist, HAM Radio Licensee, trekker & mountaineer
Curbing the mining mafia requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses legal, technological and social aspects of the problem. Illegal mining not only causes significant environmental damage but also leads to socio-economic problems and often involves organized criminal networks. Here are some of the key strategies to combat the mining mafia. Strengthening legal and regulatory framework: Increase the severity of punishments for illegal mining. This includes not only heavier fines but also longer prison sentences. Laws should also hold accountable those who facilitate illegal activities, such as corrupt officials and transporters. Special courts: Establish special courts to fast-track cases related to illegal mining, transportation and storage. This can help ensure speedy trials and convictions. Technological solutions: Utilize advanced technology to monitor mining activities. This can include satellite imagery and drones. Use satellite-based monitoring systems to detect illegal mining activities, especially those outside of leased areas. GPS tracking: Mandate GPS on all vehicles transporting minerals from mines to their final destination to track their movement in real-time. CCTV cameras: Install CCTV cameras at key locations like weighbridges and check posts to ensure transparency. Improving enforcement and accountability: Constitute special task forces and flying squads at the state and district levels with adequate resources and authority to combat illegal mining. These forces should consist of personnel from various departments, including police, forest and revenue. Intelligence gathering: Strengthen intelligence-gathering capabilities to identify and dismantle the criminal networks behind illegal mining. This includes a focus on financial trails and market intelligence. Address corruption: Implement strict measures to address corruption within government bodies that enable illegal mining activities. This includes regular audits and accountability mechanisms. Community and social involvement: Involve local communities in the fight against illegal mining. They are often the first to witness the environmental and social impacts. Provide accessible channels for them to report suspicious activities.Awareness campaigns: Raise public awareness about the environmental, social, and economic impacts of illegal mining. Educate communities about their rights and the legal framework in place.Alternative livelihoods: Address the socio-economic factors that drive individuals into illegal mining. Provide alternative livelihood opportunities for marginalized communities who may be involved due to a lack of other options. Sustainable mining practices: Regulate all scales of mining. Ensure that all mining activities, including small-scale and artisanal mining, are brought under a proper regulatory framework to prevent them from becoming illegal. Environmental safeguards: Enforce strict environmental safeguards and ensure that mining companies are held accountable for adhering to them. This includes measures for land rehabilitation and preventing pollution. Transparent processes: Make the process of granting mining leases and environmental clearances transparent and public to reduce the scope for corruption. -Manoj Kumar Chaturvedi, bank employee and animal activist, Lucknow, UP
Recent incidents of hill collapse in Jharkhand and Rajasthan have starkly highlighted the vulnerability of plateau regions to illegal mining activities, exposing both environmental and human safety risks. To curb the mining mafia responsible for such devastation, a comprehensive approach involving strict enforcement, technological surveillance, community engagement and policy reforms is essential. Illegal mining in Jharkhand and Rajasthan, particularly coal and stone mining, has led to tragic loss of life and environmental degradation. In Jharkhand, multiple illegal coal mine collapses have occurred this year, resulting in several deaths and highlighting the nexus between mining mafias and local protection networks. These illicit operations often operate with weak structural support, causing sudden collapses of hills and mines, which endanger workers and nearby communities. In Rajasthan, the Aravali hills have seen large-scale illegal mining despite repeated Supreme Court orders to halt such activities. The mining not only threatens the hill structures but also disrupts groundwater recharge, causes deforestation and leads to desertification risks in adjoining regions. Despite government revenue from legal mining operations, illegal mining continues, driven by commercial interests and weak enforcement. The Indian government and state authorities have initiated several measures to combat illegal mining. Amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR) have increased penalties for illegal mining and empowered states to frame specific rules to curb illegal mining, transportation and storage of unlawfully mined minerals. Jharkhand has notified specific rules under this Act and implemented online management systems for mining permits to enhance transparency. The government has launched mobile apps like “Khanan Prahari” and web apps such as Coal Mine Surveillance and Management System (CMSMS) to monitor illegal mining reports and activities. Geo-fencing of mineral lease areas is also being implemented in some states to prevent mining beyond authorized boundaries.Steps to effectively curb the mining mafia: Despite existing frameworks, illegal mining persists due to corruption, inadequate staffing and weak monitoring. To effectively curb the mining mafia and prevent tragedies like hill collapses, the following multi-pronged measures should be urgently strengthened. Judicial action dedicated task forces: Constitute special multi-agency anti-mining mafia task forces with powers to investigate, arrest and prosecute illegal mining networks aggressively. Faster legal processes: Fast-track cases related to illegal mining and impose harsh penalties, including cancellation of leases and jail terms up to 5 years as stipulated in MMDR Act amendments. Whistleblower protection: Encourage reporting of illegal mining through guaranteed protection and incentives for whistleblowers who expose mafia activities. Enhancing Widespread geo-fencing: Expand the use of geo-fencing technology to all mineral-rich areas for real-time monitoring of mining operations and immediate alerts to authorities on violations. Satellite Imaging: Deploy drones and satellite imagery regularly to detect unauthorized mining activities, especially in remote and forested plateau areas. Mandatory pillar demarcation and monthly inspections: Enforce strict regulations so that mine boundaries are demarcated by visible concrete pillars checked monthly by assigned officials, with records kept and audited. Digital permit systems: All mining leases, transport permits and payments of royalties must be handled through integrated online platforms accessible to the public. Audit and accountability: Implement periodic independent audits of mining operations and enforcement agencies to prevent collusion with mafia. Community vigilance committees: Empower local communities to monitor mining operations and report illegal activities, integrating their observations into formal oversight mechanisms. Strict environental norms: Reinforce the requirement of environmental clearance including impact assessments before mining. Enforce restoration and land reclamation post-mining. Safety regulations: Mandate adherence to safety standards for underground mines and surface mining to prevent collapses, with severe penalties for violations. Alternative livelihood programmes: Support economic alternatives for those engaged in illegal mining to reduce dependence on illicit mining work. Political will and societal change: Political leaders must unequivocally oppose mining mafias and avoid protecting illegal operators. Strong political will is needed to empower enforcement agencies. Public awareness campaigns: Build widespread public awareness about the environmental and human costs of illegal mining to garner societal pressure against the mafia. Sustainable development focus: Promote sustainable mining models that balance economic benefits with conservation, thereby addressing underlying drivers that lead communities to illegal mining. The incidents of hill collapse in Jharkhand and Rajasthan are tragic warnings that plateau regions are not immune to the dangers of illegal mining. Curbing the mining mafia requires robust enforcement backed by stringent laws, cutting-edge technology, transparent governance and active community involvement. Only through coordinated multi-level action and strong political will can the illegal mining menace be curtailed, protecting both lives and the environment in these vulnerable regions. This holistic approach, if implemented effectively, will not only stop destructive illegal mining practices but also promote sustainable mining that preserves India’s natural heritage and supports economic progress responsibly. -Rajashree Nair, Founder, Speartech Designs/ Interiors and Infrastructure, Bengaluru
Recent incidents of hill collapse in Jharkhand and Rajasthan have highlighted the vulnerability of plateau areas to illegal mining activities. The Supreme Court has taken a stern stance on this issue, directing the Rajasthan government to stop illegal mining in the Aravalli range. To effectively curb the mining mafia, the following measures can be taken. Uniform environment impact assessment: Conduct a comprehensive environment impact assessment for the entire Aravalli range, covering Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat. Clear definition of mining zones: Establish a clear definition of mining zones and boundaries to prevent unauthorized mining activities. Strict enforcement: Ensure strict enforcement of mining regulations, with severe penalties for non-compliance. Advanced surveillance technologies: Utilize drones and satellite imaging to monitor and detect illegal mining activities in real-time. Regular inspections: Conduct regular inspections of mining sites to prevent unauthorized activities. Intelligence gathering: Gather intelligence on mining mafia operations to dismantle their networks. Alternative livelihoods: Provide alternative livelihoods for communities dependent on illegal mining, addressing poverty and unemployment. Public awareness: Raise public awareness about the environmental and social impacts of illegal mining. Community engagement: Engage local communities in mining regulation and monitoring efforts. Ensuring accountability: Hold government officials accountable for failing to prevent illegal mining activities. Mine owner accountability: Ensure mine owners are held accountable for safety and environmental violations. Transparency: Promote transparency in mining operations, including licensing and revenue collection. Curbing illegal mining requires a multi-faceted approach, including strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing surveillance and monitoring, addressing root causes and ensuring accountability. By working together, we can mitigate the environmental and social impacts of illegal mining and promote sustainable development. -Zeba Khan, Entrepreneur and owner of a dog hostel/stay
The recent incidents of hill collapse in Jharkhand and Rajasthan have shaken the common perception that only mountains are vulnerable to mining-related disasters. Even the hard rock plateaus—often seen as geologically stable—are now crumbling under the weight of reckless, unregulated and illegal mining. These tragic events have not only caused loss of lives and livelihoods but also exposed the deep-rooted nexus between mining mafias, corrupt officials and political patronage. They remind us that mining in India, while contributing significantly to economic growth, has also become a source of ecological devastation, criminal enterprise and social unrest. During the pandemic, the Aravalis near Gurugram had been our place of solace and rejuvenation. A group of us trekked there regularly, escaping the concrete city to find peace in nature. For almost three months of lockdown, however, we could not go due to restrictions. When the curbs finally eased, we eagerly returned to our familiar trail—only to be shocked. One of the hills we had often climbed was gone. Not eroded, not reduced—vanished. The mining mafia had done its job with ruthless efficiency. Activist friends documented the “before and after” with photographs, petitioned authorities and reached out to the press. Sadly, nothing came of it. The silence of the system and the continuation of mining operations was a chilling reminder of how deep the collusion runs. It was as if the landscape itself was expendable, its destruction invisible to those in power. Illegal mining is not simply a case of some workers extracting stone or minerals without a license. It has evolved into a vast parallel economy controlled by well-organized mafia. These groups employ thousands of daily-wage workers but operate without safety measures, environmental clearances or fair wages. Trucks overloaded with illegally mined stone, sand and coal move across state borders under the protection of bribed officials. The result is a thriving black economy that drains government revenue, destroys the environment and fuels corruption. The collapse of hillocks in plateau regions illustrates the degree of ecological stress created by blasting, unscientific excavation and over-exploitation. The earth, stripped of its natural stability, caves in—endangering workers, nearby communities and even future generations who will inherit barren wastelands instead of fertile plateaus. Plateaus, unlike fragile mountain ranges, are usually considered less vulnerable to geological hazards. Yet, they are not immune to human recklessness. Constant blasting, deep excavation without slope analysis and removal of vegetation create artificial instability. Rainwater infiltration further weakens these disturbed formations. In Jharkhand, known for its mineral-rich Chhotanagpur Plateau, illegal stone and coal mining has already degraded large tracts of land. In Rajasthan, rampant sandstone and marble extraction—often unregulated—has left behind scarred landscapes. When plateaus begin to collapse, it is a signal that human greed has overpowered natural resilience. The mining mafia cannot be curbed by policing alone. What is required is a holistic approach that combines legal enforcement, technological tools, community participation and political will. Legal and administrative crackdown: Illegal mining must be treated as a serious economic offence. Fast-track courts should deal specifically with mining-related crimes. Confiscation of assets, including machinery and vehicles used in illegal operations, should be routine. Accountability must extend to officials—police, revenue and mining department staff—who look the other way or actively collude with the mafia. Harnessing technology: Technology offers powerful tools to monitor and prevent illegal mining. Satellite imagery and drone surveillance can detect changes in land use and track excavation patterns in real time.Remote sensing can identify pits, hill cutting and deforestation. GPS tracking of mineral-carrying trucks can ensure only licensed consignments are moved. AI-based mapping can flag sudden changes in topography, enabling quick intervention.. Empowering local communities: Communities living around mining sites often bear the brunt of illegal operations: dust pollution, water contamination and land degradation. Yet, they are rarely consulted or empowered. Strengthening the role of Gram Sabhas, particularly under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), can help in grassroots monitoring. Protecting whistleblowers and activists is equally critical, as many face threats or violence. Most importantly, alternative livelihood opportunities such as stone-cutting units, eco-tourism or skill development must be ensured so that local youth are not compelled to join the mafia’s workforce.. Environmental safeguards: No mining activity should proceed without a rigorous Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and genuine public consultation. Too often, clearances are reduced to paperwork. Post-mining land reclamation and afforestation should be strictly enforced, with financial bonds collected upfront to ensure compliance. Mining in ecologically sensitive zones—hilltops, forests, water catchments—should be banned outright. The principle must be clear: extraction cannot come at the cost of permanent ecological damage.. Political will and independent oversight: At the core of the mining mafia problem lies political patronage. Many illegal operations thrive because they fund electoral campaigns or enrich local power brokers. Unless political will is demonstrated to dismantle these networks, enforcement will remain superficial. Establishing independent monitoring authorities, strengthening the role of the National Green Tribunal and enabling judiciary-led interventions are crucial. Civil society and media must also continue to keep the spotlight on illegal mining, ensuring public pressure remains alive. India needs minerals for infrastructure and development, but mining cannot be allowed to spiral into ecological destruction and mafia dominance. The choice is not between mining and no mining—it is between reckless extraction and regulated, sustainable practices. Legal miners who follow rules should not be undercut by mafia who loot resources and exploit workers. The recent collapses in Jharkhand and Rajasthan are warning signs. If even plateaus—symbols of geological stability—are being torn apart, then our governance framework has clearly failed. To restore balance, India must commit to a three-pronged strategy: a strict legal crackdown, technology-driven surveillance and community empowerment. The mining mafia thrives on the silence of the state and the helplessness of local people. Breaking this cycle requires courage, transparency and innovation. Only then can India ensure that its plateaus remain strong, its people safe and its natural wealth used wisely for generations to come. Shachi Rao, social activist and entrepreneur
हमारा भारत देश अपने आप में प्राकृतिकका खजाना है,तथा सुन्दर पर्वत,बहती नदियां, खामोश घटिया हमारे देश के प्रकृति का सौंदर्यीकरण करती है। परन्तु बहुत ही खुद की बाद है कि मानव ने इन सुन्दर प्राकृतिकका आदर नहीं किया, जैसा की हम सब जानते ही हैं। कि हमारे देश की प्रकृति आपदाएं मानव जीवन को उथल-पुथल कर रही है। जिसके जिम्मेदारहम स्वयं मानव ही हैं। ना केवल पहाड़ी इलाके अपितु झारखंड और राजस्थान जैसे मैदानी राज्यों में भी पहाड़ ढलने, भु स्खलन जैसे ममाले समाने आ रहे हैं। झारखंड और राजस्थान में अवैध खनन रोकने के लिए तकनीकी निगरानी, सख्त कानून, सामुदायिकभागीदारी और प्रभावी प्रवर्तनजैसे उपाय किए जा सकते हैं. इसमें जियोफेंसिंग, ड्रोन व सैटेलाइट से निगरानी, हेल्पलाइननंबरों पर शिकायत दर्ज करना, जिला स्तरीय कार्य बलों का गठन और स्थानीय समुदायोंको शामिल करना शामिल है. मैदानी क्षेत्रोंमें खनन कार्यों के लिए रोकथाम के उपायः प्रशासनिक और सामुदायिक उपायः जिला स्तरीय कार्य बलः जिला स्तरीय समर्पित कार्य बलों का गठन किया जाना चाहिए जो खनन गतिविधियोंकी नियमित निगरानी करें और संयुक्त टास्क फोर्स का गठन करें, खासकर सीमावर्ती क्षेत्रोंमें। स्थानीय समुदायों की भागीदारीः अवैध खनन से प्रभावितस्थानीय समुदायोंको शामिल करना चाहिए, क्योंकि उनकी गवाही अवैध गतिविधियों के व्यापक प्रभाव को प्रदर्शित करती है और उनके मामलों को मजबूत करती है। सावधानी बरतनाः नदी के तल की स्थिति का अध्ययन करना और मानसून के दौरान नदी किनारे किसी भी प्रकार के खनन की अनुमति नहीं देना भी एक महत्वपूर्ण रोक-थाम है। मानव-निर्मित कारणों से पहाड़ों के गिरने (भूस्खलन) के प्रमुख कारण वनों की कटाई, शहरीकरण और अनियोजित निर्माण गतिविधियां हैं, जो मिट्टी को कमजोर करती हैं। इसके अतिरिक्त,कृषि, खनन और सड़क निर्माण के कारण मिट्टी के कटाव, जल निकासी में बदलाव और ढलानों का अस्थिर होना भी भूस्खलन को बढ़ाता है। मानव-निर्मित प्रमुख कारणः वनों की कटाई। पेड़ों की जड़ें मिट्टी के कणों को बांधकर रखती हैं, जिससे वे स्थिर रहती हैं। वनों की कटाई से यह प्राकृतिक आवरण हट जाता है, जिससे मिट्टी ढीली होकर भूस्खलन का कारण बनती है। शहरीकरण और अनियोजित निर्माणःपहाड़ी क्षेत्रोंमें घरों, सड़कों और अन्य ढांचागत सुविधाओंके निर्माण से ढलानों पर अतिरिक्त दबाव पड़ता है। संवेदनशीलक्षेत्रों में अतिक्रमण से भी भूस्खलन का खतरा बढ़ जाता है। कृषि और वानिकी गतिविधियाँःखेती और लॉगिंग जैसी मानवीय गतिविधियोंसे मिट्टी में रिसने वाले पानी की मात्रा बदल जाती है, जिससे मिट्टी कमजोर हो सकती है और कटाव बढ़ सकता है। खनन और उत्खननः खनन गतिविधियाँ ढलानों को अस्थिर कर देती हैं, जिससे चट्टानों का गिरना और भूस्खलन बढ़ जाता है। सड़क और रेल निर्माणःपहाड़ी क्षेत्रोंमें सड़कों और रेलवे के निर्माण से ढलानों की अस्थिरता बढ़ जाती है, खासकर जब अनियोजित तरीके से खुदाई की जाती है। बांध परियोजनाएंः बड़े बांधों के निर्माण के लिए पहाड़ों की खुदाई की जाती है, जिससे मिट्टी और चट्टानें अस्थिर हो सकती हैं। भूस्खलन के मुख्य कारणः भारी वषार्ः भारी बारिश मिट्टी में नमी भर देती है, जिससे चट्टानों के साथ उसका बंधन कमजोर हो जाता है और भूस्खलन होता है. मिट्टी की परतः पहाड़ी क्षेत्रोंमें, कठोर चट्टानों के ऊपर मिट्टी की एक परत होती है. जब बारिश से यह परत संतृप्त हो जाती है, तो यह आसानी से फिसल जाती है. जलवायु परिवर्तनःअरब सागर के गर्म होने से पश्चिमी घाटों में गहरे बादल बन जाते हैं और अत्यधिक भारी वर्षा होती है, जो भूस्खलन के खतरे को बढ़ाती है. राजस्थान और झारखंड की रेत निति खनन माफिया के खिलाफ विभाग के पास होगा वाहनों का डाटाः सरकार खान विभाग के ई-रवन्ना पोर्टल से जोड़ सकती है। इससे विभाग के पास सभी वाहनों का डाटा एक जगह रहेगा। ई-रवन्ना व तय मार्ग से अन्यत्र मार्ग पर जाने वाले वाहनों को भी इस नियम के तहत अवैध माना जाएगा। वाहनों पर जीपीएस ना होने या फिर आगे-पीछे स्पष्ट नंबर नहीं होने पर खनिज देने वाले स्टोन क्रेशर, स्क्रीनिंग प्लांट, रिटेल भंडारी कर्ता और अनुज्ञाधारी के खिलाफ सख्त कदम उठाए जाएंगे।विभागके पास होगी वाहन की लोकेशन खन्न विभाग की ओर से सभी अभियंताओं को परिवहन में जीपीएस ट्रैकिंगसिस्टम लगाने के आदेश दिए गए है। सरकार का कहना है कि इलेक्ट्रॉनिक्स ट्रेकिंगसिस्टम (ईटीएस) से खनिज परिवहन करने वाले वाहनों की लोकेशन और जानकारी खनन विभाग के पास रहेगी। साथ ही विभाग के पास इस बात की जानकारी होगी कि खनिज किसी लीज इलाके से भरा गया है या फिर नहीं। इसके अलावा वाहन किस रूट से खनिज लेकर जा रहा है यह भी देखा जा सकेगा। खनिज परिवहन रजिस्टर्डवाहनों से ही होगा, जिसके लिए सरकार की ओर से कंट्रोल रूम स्थापित किए जाएंगें। झारखंड राज्य खनिज विकास निगम (श्रैडक्ब्) की भूमिका को अब पूरी तरह समाप्त करने की प्रक्रिया अंतिम चरण में है। वर्तमान में राज्य के मात्र 22 घाट ही संचालित हैं, जो मौजूदा व्यवस्थाकी विफलता को उजागर करते हैं। यही कारण है कि सरकार ने बालू नीति में व्यापक बदलाव की योजना बनाई है। अवैध खनन रोकने के लिए कुछ महत्वपूर्णकदमः सामुदायिकऔर सामाजिक भागीदारी। जन जागरूकता अभियानः स्थानीय समुदायोंको अवैध खनन के खतरों और पर्यावरणीय व स्वास्थ्य जोखिमों के बारे में शिक्षित करना। समुदाय को शामिल करनाः निर्णय लेने की प्रक्रिया और निगरानी में स्थानीय समुदायोंको शामिल करना, ताकि वे जिम्मेदार खनन को बढ़ावा दे सकें। टिकाऊ खनन प्रथाओं को बढ़ावा देनाः आर्थिक न्यायः कारीगर खनन को औपचारिक रूप देकर और कानूनी अर्थव्यवस्था में एकीकृत करके आर्थिक असमानता को कम करना। पर्यावरणीय स्थिरताःखनन के कारण होने वाले प्रदूषण, वनों की कटाई और आवास विनाश को कम करने के लिए टिकाऊ प्रथाओं को अपनाना। सामाजिक जिम्मेदारीः स्थानीय समुदायों के साथ उचित परामर्श करना और उनके अधिकारों का सम्मान सुनिश्चितकरना। -रिंकी कुमारी, ट्रेनर, हिमसुरभिः एरोमा लिविंग प्लांट. म्यूजियम मसूरी फ्रेग्रेन्स एंड फ्लवोरस इंस्टिट्यूट, मसूरी, उत्तराखंड
Topic of the month: In several congested localities of the state capital and even some other cities, people keep flocks of pigeons for commercial purposes. Since they are not vaccinated, they are a potential health hazard. Do you think pigeon keeping in city areas should be banned? You may send your views (either in Hindi or English) in not more than 800 words along with your latest pic to [email protected].
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