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This report was prepared in view of cracks, drying waterfalls, landslides and crop loss in the houses of many villages of Bageshwar.
New Delhi: The government had appointed a panel to find out the reason for repeated disasters in Bageshwar. After all the investigations, the panel has warned that unscientific mining in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand is only geminated for disasters. Is also threatening villages and agriculture. Apart from this, the delicate Himalayan region is also disrupting water sources. The panel submitted its report to the national green tribunal on 30 July. The report states that there is a need for extensive improvement in mining to reduce risks. This report was prepared in view of cracks, drying waterfalls, landslides and crop loss in the houses of many villages of Bageshwar. Bageshwar, especially Kanda-Kanyal Valley Region, is known for some of the most rich reserves of Sopstone in India. It is a soft converted rock that is widely used in paper, paint, cosmetics and construction.
61 mines investigated
The residents of Bageshwar had alleged that mining is being done in the district regardless of environmental security. On this, experts from the Department of Geology and Mining, Geological Survey of India, Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Center and the Indian Institute of India investigated 61 mines in Kanda, Bageshwar and Duganakuri tehsils. According to the report, most mines have changed natural slopes through steep harvesting and lack proper benches, causing the area to become highly sensitive to landslides and rock fall. The team saw cracks, land collapses and rocks sliding in many places. Many leases are overlap with villages, agricultural land and water sources, causing local communities to directly threaten.
Bageshwar is located in the seismic region V
The committee highlighted that Bageshwar is located in the seismic region V, which is one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the country. If mining activities are not scientifically controlled in such areas, then the landlords may increase. Experts stressed that the current monitoring system is inadequate and no record of how the slope has changed over time. Satellite analysis has also indicated land deformation around many mines, which further confirm the risk of landlords. The report said that mining has disrupted the methods of drainage, causing “erosion and pollution” of ground water. Important waterfalls for local drinking water and irrigation have dried up in many affected villages or their flow has reduced. The committee also found that the efforts to recover in mining-free areas were mostly superficial and no measures were taken to ensure long-term slope stability or ecological restoration.
Mining work should be done in scientific way
The expert panel has recommended that all the mining work in the district should be strict in a strict scientific manner. This proposed the installation of a local seismic network to monitor microscopic earthquakes, deployment of satellite-based SAR technology to detect land deformities and compulsory slope stability analysis for all existing and proposed mines. It said that to ensure accuracy of such analysis, it should be reviewed by reputed educational and research institutes. The panel urged to create a geopolitical database of all lease boundaries to prevent encroachments and track risky areas better. It asked the state to revaluate overlapping leases along with villages, water sources or agricultural land.
Recommendation of Aquifer Mapping
Aquifer mapping was recommended to understand the long -term impact of mining on ground water reserves. The committee insisted on adopting sustainable mining practices including controlled explosion, proper drainage management and engineering measures to stabilize the slopes. Regional inspections should be done regularly to ensure mining plans and compliance of environmental criteria. The panel said that mining on the river floor, if done within the prescribed limit, does not pose a threat to seismic stability.
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