MINING OF MILIOLITE LIMESTONES

The coastal region of Gujarat stretching from Kutcch to Bhavnagar District contains large deposits of limestones, which are geologically known as Miliolite. These stones act as barrier between seawater and the underground Sweetwater of the land. In recent past the Government of Gujarat has granted mining lease and license to several mining companies for quarrying miliolite limestones.

The impact of mining miliolite limestones on environment is that once these stones are removed, there is ingrace of seawater into the land. As a result the ground water of the main land, which is sweet, turns salty. Secondly the entire land turns saline affecting agriculture adversely.

Type of rocks are found along the coast Saurastra

The rock can be called as sandstone, in general, as the size of the granules is that of sand. But geologically it is called Miliolite Limestones, as it mainly contain lime calcium. It is soft and used for construction. Somnath Temple is entirely made up of these stones. It is one of the finest limestones found in India, popularly known as “Porbandar Stone”.

Role of Miliolite Limestone in protecting coastal environment.

By nature these stones are porous, like a sponge and holds sweet water inside it. In geological terms the pockets inside these stones with sweet water are called “aquifers”. These are the main source of fresh water for settlements along the coastal belt.

Seawater intrusion

Since the density of seawater is high as compared to sweet water, in normal conditions, it does not allow seawater to intrude in but when fresh water is over pumped, seawater come in.

Effect of mining of Limestone on Coastal environment

As told earlier, Aquifers inside these stones are the main source of fresh water along the coast. When these stones are removed, it is as if we are destroying a vessel containing fresh water. Then there is no question of recharging. Coastal settlements are loosing its major resource of fresh water permanently. In addition to this, once these natural barriers are removed, even on the surface sea comes inside.

Studies on implications of mining

No specific studies have been done yet. Few years back, government had constituted high power committee, to study cases of salinity ingress. It mainly focused upon over pumping of freshwater along the coast and not on mining. According to CRZ mining activity is permissible after CRZ II, i.e. just after 250 mts of distance. Before this, mining was done just adjacent to the coast. Now all the leases are allotted from the distance 250 mts onwards. In the eyes of law this is not wrong. But this does not serve the purpose with which CRZ was formed/defined. CRZ provisions are meant for protection of coastal environment. Thus any activity damaging the coastal environment temporarily or permanently should be strictly prohibited, even if it is being done outside CRZ.

Social Impact

The immediate impact is dust, which settles on the leaves of the plants, reducing photosynthesis process. The growth of the plants is affected.

But more dangerous is the long-term impact of it. If we study status of drinking water along the coast, where mining is being done, we can easily see the impact within one of two years of these stones, coastal village will face severe scarcity of drinking water. Wells will turn saline, there by affecting agriculture severely.

CASE ON HAND

The case on hand is of village viz. Baradia near Dwarka. The government has granted mining lease to a person viz. Vira Hamir Nagesh for quarrying limestones from the land bearing survey no. 96/1 and 96/2. Order granting lease was passed by the District Collector under Gujarat Minor Mineral Rules, 1966 on 11-10-04. The people of Baradia village opposed the grant of mining lease. In the month of March they started agitation and held dharna before the collector office. They also submitted memorandum to various authorities. The collector thereafter conducted survey and subsequently issued show cause notice to Vira Hamir and finally cancelled the mining lease.

The order of the collector was challenged by the leaseholder before the Appellate Authority i.e. Director of Geology, Mines and Mineral Department, Government of Gujarat. The Appellate Authority by way of interim order stayed the order passed by the District Collector.

The matter was heard by the Appellate Authority on 8-8-05. On behalf of one of the affected villagers, whose land is situated nearby quarry, made application for joining as party respondent? I appeared on behalf of the villagers before the Appellate Authority. The main contention raised by me was that the removal of limestones has caused great environmental hazards and also pollution of water and this was the finding of fact recorded by the District Collector. Moreover the mine was situated within the limits of CRZ. Emphasis was laid on section 4-A(2) of the Mines and Mineral (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957. The Gujarat Minor Mineral Rules are framed by the govt. under the said Act. After hearing the parties the Appellate Authority vacated the stay order. Mater will be heard further on 29^th August.

This is one case but there are several such cases where the lease & license have been granted by the government in entire coastal belt.

Subraminiam Iyer & Mukul Sinha