Illegal Mines and environment threats in rajasthan

Illegal mining is posing a serious threat to Rajasthan’s forests, water resource and the Aravalli hill system. The State, with the largest number of mine leases in the country, has failed to regulate illegal mining in the forest areas. Udaipur, the most forested district of the State, is the most mined district as well. Udaipur, Rajsamand, Dungarpur are three state whp provides maximum stone and minerals in state. Rajasthan accounts for 1,324 mine leases for major minerals, 10,851 for minor minerals and 19,251 quarry licenses for mining stones to be among the highly mined States in the country but the sector contributes a meager three per cent of its revenue. The State earned about Rs.590 crore as royalties from major minerals like lead, zinc and limestone in 2004-2005. The State holds reserves of 44 major and 22 minor minerals and is the only producer of garnet, jasper, wollastonite and zinc concentrates. It is also the leading producer of calcite, lead concentrate, ball clay, fireclay, ochre, phosphorite, silver and steatite. However, it is best known for its production of marble and other dimensional stones. It produces 10 per cent of the world’s and 70 per cent of India’s output of sandstone. Ajmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Pali, Rajsamand, and Udaipur are the leading mining districts.
The illegal mines have no mechanism in place to implement environmental protection measures and the mine labour laws. “Because these mines operate beyond the law, workers’ rights are not recognised. Basic facilities such as toilets and water do not exist, nor do safety procedures or compensation for accidents,” says the report. In Makrana mines, there is an average of one death a day. According to the MLPC, there are three deaths every day from work-related illnesses like silicosis and tuberculosis. The State continues to dabble in asbestos despite a worldwide ban on the mineral. Rajasthan, which has 54 per cent of India’s asbestos resources, still has five to six operational mines. Govt. need to well organize the mineral exploration based on environment need, so that this should not be big problem in future.