CURRENT NEWS

MARCH 2009

EIA Notification amendments

NGOs join hands against govt move
Shimla, March 29, 2009: Over 500 environmentalists, social activists, non-governmental organisations and individuals from all over the country have come under the banner of “Campaign for Environmental Justice-India (CEJ-I) and called for stalling the proposal to amend to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. In a signed letter addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who holds the additional charge of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, they have alleged that the timing and content of amendments, indicated gross misuse of executive power to hand out concessions to several industrial sectors, many of which were substantial donors to election funds of the ruling party. The amendments seek to do away with the regulatory mechanism, and replace it with self-regulation and certification by polluting industries. The signatories demanded the proposed amendments be shelved and comprehensive review be conducted of the environment impact assessment (EIA) process.

Kulbhushan Upmanyu, convener of the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, which is part of the campaign, said a complaint was also being lodged with the Election Commission as the proposed amendment provided concessions to big business houses, which was a violation of the model code of conduct.

The EIA notification requires that projects (both green-field ventures and expansion projects) that cause pollution, destruction of natural resources, displacement and other significant impact on the environment must go through a series of clearance steps as per standards and with the prior consent of statutory agencies, both at state and central levels. Upmanyu pointed out that proposed amendments allowed exemptions from statutory provisions of environmental law (up to three years) and would introduce the “self-certification” process that merely required applicants to state that the project would cause no additional pollution.

(Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com)

Officials urged to resolve dust pollution woes

CURCHOREM, MARCH 28, 2009 : delegation of the Mission Bypass Forum (MBF) of Curchorem met government officials on Wednesday, urging them to resolve the dust pollution and traffic congestion problems faced by people of Curchorem and Sanvordem.
Quepem Deputy Police Superintendent Rohidas Patre assured the delegation that he would convene a meeting with the heads of the Quepem and Curchorem police stations, as well as the Traffic Cell, to discuss the issue of dust pollution, traffic congestion and reckless movement of mining vehicles in the area.
The delegation then informed Deputy Collector Johnson Fernandes that despite assurances from Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, mining trucks continued to move in residential areas from 7 am to 8 am and from 1 pm to 2 pm. Fernandes said he was helpless to act in the matter, claiming that it would amount to contempt of the High Court. The delegation consisted of MBF Convenor Pradeep Kakodkar and members Sanjay Dessai, Eknath Naik, Mangaldas Bhat, Suraj Joshi and Abhay Gauns Dessai.

(Source: http://oheraldo.in)

Red lights for greens

New Delhi March 26, 2009: If the ministry of environment and forests goes ahead with its proposal to relax environmental standards, as a report in this paper suggests it just might, it would be a setback to all hopes of imposing some restrictions on the damage that industry causes to the environment. It is certainly not this newspaper’s case that the development of industry should be stopped just because it takes away agricultural land; indeed, industrial development is one of the tested ways to lift people out of poverty on a large and sustainable scale. But the costs of this development (including for those who make a living out of occupations involving the use of traditional grazing grounds, to use one example) have to be recognised, and paid for.

In a nutshell, the proposal that the environment ministry notified on January 19 sought to relax the provisions of the environment impact assessment notification of 2006. There was a 60-day period for all objections to be filed, which ended last Saturday. Once the ministry considers these objections, it is free to change the law — though, before it does this, it will presumably have to show that it has given careful consideration to the objections and not just dismissed them out of hand. The crux of the proposed change is that, instead of the process of getting clearances from the environment ministry, industries can simply certify that they are not polluting, and this self-certification is enough for them to expand. This is obviously a convenient rule for all industries that feel environmental clearances take far too long in the country. In theory, if companies give false self-certification statements, the penalties can be serious. But there is little in the way the law has been implemented, and in which the ministry has functioned so far, to suggest that polluters have anything to fear. Since the industries that are to benefit from the proposed rule are inherently polluting, and known to damage the environment, it is clear that the proposed new rule is meant to tilt the balance in favour of industry and against the government.

Instead of relaxing the law, it should have been made more stringent. For the current procedure for environment impact assessment reports is defective, in that these reports are heavily influenced by the work done by consultants who have been hired by the corporate houses themselves. As if this weren’t bad enough, there has been no credible action taken against well-known consulting firms who have been caught doing a cut-and-paste job on environment assessments, with the operative parts of reports on two different projects in two different parts of the country being exactly the same.

When important policy changes are proposed, it is not enough to give 60 days for people to file objections. Why not adopt the approach of the regulators in telecom and power — put out a basic approach paper, have open houses in various parts of the country where your stance is explained and all opinions listened to patiently, and only then put out a draft note to which people give their objections' Involving all stakeholders more fully in a participative decision-making process can only improve decision-making.

(Source: http://www.business-standard.com)

Railways directed to contain dust pollution at Curchorem

PANJIM, MARCH 26: Residents of Curchorem-Cacora will at least now get reprieve from dust pollution caused by mining trucks plying in the area and due to loading and unloading of mining ore at the railway yard.
A Division Bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa on Thursday granted interim relief to the petitioners and directed the Ministry of Railways to take measures to contain dust pollution until its plan to shift the yard at Xelvona materialises. Railway Ministry’s proposal to build a new yard has been ‘derailed’ due to opposition by some locals.
The Court was hearing a writ petition filed by residents of the area John Pereira and others. The Division Bench of Justice P B Majumdar and Justice N A Britto also directed the authorities to allow mining trucks to ply in Curchorem for restricted hours – a break between 1 and 2 pm and not to allow any mining truck to ply between 8 pm and 8 am.
The counsel for the petitioner Adv Norma Alvares insisted that respondent should be compelled to take interim measures to contain dust pollution, which according to the respondent would stop once loading and unloading activities are shifted at Xelvona.
Adv Alvares told the Court that break between 1 and 2 pm is needed to enable students to move during morning and afternoon and also to enable people in the town to get at least 12 hours of sleep free from noise and dust pollution.
Currently, activity in the yard commences around 4.30 am and trucks start moving out of the yard by 6 am and ply throughout the day sometimes even till 9 pm causing inconvenience to the locals, complaint petitioners.One of the reasons for dust pollution is trucks loaded with ore are not covered with tarpaulin when leaving the yard from the jetties despite of court orders. Several complaints have been made to the local authorities. However all complaints have been ignored on the ground that the trucks are traveling short distance to unload at the jetty. According to the petitioners, these uncovered trucks move right through the town and they are a source of serious pollution.
It is further directed that ore stacks in the stacking yards near the jetty should be covered with tarpaulin. Ore stacks should not to exceed 5-meter height and pillars with 5-meter marks have to be erected. There are around five stacking yards where ore is dumped prior to re-loading for onward dispatch. Ore is haphazardly dumped in these areas and dust from the stacks flies all over the place due to the wind.
Railway ministry has been directed to conduct survey of the railway yard (where unloading ore from the wagons and re-loading on to trucks takes) to find whether area could be fully enclosed with shed and submit report to the court in two weeks.

(Source: http://oheraldo.in)

14 Sanguem mines operating close to Selaulim Dam!

PANJIM, March 23, 2009: Fourteen out of 16 mines in Sanguem are operating within one kilometer to the rivers or the Selaulim Dam, the House was informed today.
Coming down heavily on the government's pro-mining policy, Opposition MLAs said that with the mines operating so close to the Selaulim Dam, it is polluting the water and poses dangers to the south Goa citizens, who depend on the dam for drinking water needs. '14 out of 16 mines are close to the river and dam and all the mining reject is washed out into the river and the dam during monsoons,' said MLA Vasudev Gaonkar. He said that if such a situation continues, the depth of the dam would decrease within two years apart from posing threat to people's lives. Replying to the question tabled by the MLA, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that the objections in the mining policy would be scrutinized and also promised to crackdown on the illegal mines operating. 'The draft RP 2021 has clearly stated in the next coming years mines close to water bodies would be closed down in a phased manner,' Kamat said. Also, the mining policy is in the final stages and the Government will scrutinize suggestions in this regard, he said. As for the illegal mines, he said the government has already initiated action.

(Source: http://oheraldo.in)

Time to save the country from environmental disasters

Chandigarh, March 20, 2009: Emphasising upon the need for soil and water conservation technologies to meet the threats of climate change, global warming and melting of glaciers, Dr J P Kaushik, special secretary and director, Agriculture, Haryana, said soil health has deteriorated to such an extent that it has become the most important limiting factor in crop production.

He was addressing a workshop on 'Resource Conserving Technologies' for the Shivaliks. He said that farmers continue to make excessive and irrational use of chemicals in the form of fertilisers and pesticides, which results in the exploitation of land. "It is the time to wake up and save the country from environmental disasters," he said.

Dr S K Dhar, principal chief conservator of Forest, Haryana, said the problem of forest degradation is due to outside interferences caused by unscientific and unsustainable development activities like building, mining activities and other anthropogenic disturbances.

(Source: http://www.indianexpress.com)

If Aravalis have been devastated, ban mining: SC

Wonders Who Will Bell The Cat

New Delhi March 20, 2009:: The Supreme Court on Thursday talked tough while showing its inclination for a total ban on mining in the Aravali hill areas of Haryana's Faridabad and Gurgaon districts, being convinced that relentless battering of this natural barrier would allow the western desert to gradually eat up the grain bowl of the Gangetic plains.
Amicus curiae Ranjit Kumar was at pains to explain to the court how for years, mine lease holders have been violating the licence conditions by digging right up to the water table leading to a massive drop in groundwater levels, causing severe drinking water shortage in the villages. He added that the lease holders had not filled up abandoned mine pits, nor taken any steps for afforestation.

The special bench, comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia, after continuously testing if the sustainable development framework could be applied in the area ' that is, allowing mining under stringent conditions of eco-restoration 'finally said: ''If there is total devastation of Aravalis, then the logical corollary is a total ban on mining activity''.
With amicus curiae Kumar and counsel A D N Rao arguing for a total ban on mining in Aravalis, the Bench said: ''The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has said that there is total devastation of the eco-sensitive Aravali hills. If there is total devastation, natural corrollary is total ban on mining. With the state agreeing with the CEC's finding, you are on a stronger wicket. But the question is who should do it ' the Supreme Court, the Centre or the state government'.
Counsel to vet Haryana's replies
The Haryana government has reportedly forwarded a communication to state forest minister Kiran Chaudhry asking the forest department to get its replies to Aravali-related petitions vetted by the standing legal counsel before it can be filed in the Supreme Court. The forest department had been unable to file the replies earlier as it did not have the go-ahead of the state government. 

Not govt, SC must ban mining: Amicus curiae
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday talked tough while showing its inclination for a total ban on mining in the Aravali hill areas of Haryana's Faridabad and Gurgaon districts. Amicus curiae, Ranjit Kumar, wanted the apex court to pass the ban order without leaving it to either the Centre or the state. Additional solicitor general Parag Tripathy, appearing for the Haryana government, supported the plea, saying any single mine lease holder having grievance against possible ban on mining should not be allowed to move the trial court or the high court as that would lead to a chaotic situation. Wanting to be sure of the legality of a total ban on mining in the Aravali hill areas, the Bench continued to put searching questions to senior advocate Kumar and counsel ADN Rao whether it would be correct to put a blanket ban on mining of major minerals. While Kumar reeled off several such blanket orders passed by the Forest Bench in the past in the interest of general public and to preserve environment, Rao said mining had seriously affected the lives of human beings living in and around the areas within the Aravali hill areas. Rao argued: ''If steps are not taken to save the Aravali Hills from being razed to ground, severe consequences would follow ' rapid dip in water table, drying up of lakes and spread of desert ' having irreversible adverse impact on human lives and nature.''
He asked: ''If the court could impose a blanket ban on non-forest activity in the forest areas of the country to save the greenery as well as wildlife, why should there be not a ban on mining to save environment and human beings'''
Persistence of Kumar and Rao appeared to be making an impact on the Bench, which said: ''Once we are satisfied that there is total devastation, we can impose a total ban on mining. It is like cancelling an examination because of widespread malpractices. There also several candidates, who had appeared without committing any illegality, (who will) suffer.'' What the Bench was indicating was that for addressing a greater common good for humanity as a whole, individual discomfort may be overlooked in order to achieve the ultimate goal. Individual mine lease holders, through senior advocate Anil Devan, argued that it had never been the court's intention right from the beginning to punish those who were adhering scrupulously to the conditions as also those who do not fall within the Aravali Hills area. The arguments will continue on Friday.

(Source: Times Of India, New Delhi)

NTPC's plan to buy stake in coal mine hits hurdle

INDONESIAN FIRM NOW CONSIDERING ONLY COAL SUPPLY DEAL

THE country's largest power generator NTPC's plan to acquire stake in coal mines in Indonesia has hit a road block. Sugico Graha, the firm identified for equity acquisition, has expressed its inability to offer stake to NTPC in the company and instead could consider only a coal supply deal. The development assumes importance as it could delay NTPC's plan to tap overseas markets to augment coal supply for its fuel-starved stations. 'The acquisition plan of the PSU has been hit due to inconsistency shown by the Indonesian firm. The company has now said that it could only consider supplying coal to the PSU. We are waiting for a firm offer in this regard before deciding on future course of action,' said an official of the power ministry, who did not wish to be named. Early last year, NTPC had shortlisted two Indonesian companies, Persada Investama and Sugico Graha, for starting its overseas coal mining venture. While Persada did not confirm its willingness to partner NTPC, Sugico Graha signed a confidentiality agreement with it. NTPC submitted a draft non-binding term sheet indicating acquisition of 17.5% stake and long term coal supply commitment of 15 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). This was later scaled down to 5% equity with 5 mtpa coal supply. NTPC in a communication to the power ministry has now informed that the company is no longer interested in selling their stake and instead may be prepared only to supply 5 mtpa of coal with index-linked pricing through advance payment. NTPC plans to import over 8 million tonnes of coal during current fiscal to meet the shortfall in the supply of domestically available coal. The company requires 125 mtpa of coal to run roughly 24,000 mw of power plants run on coal. A dozen of its power plants have reached supercritical coal stocks, meaning coal much less than the desired 15 days stock for pit head plants and 30 days for rail-fed stations. The problem is likely to aggravate with NTPC commissioning and additional 20,000 mw capacity by 2012. 'The availability of coal would be critical to NTPC's expansion plan. While we may be facing some problem in our deals in one of the projects Indonesia, various other options are being considered to increase the share of our coal from overseas market,' the official said. In this regard, NTPC is working on the acquisition of equity stake two other coal mines in Indonesia ' one mine in East Kalimantan and three mines in South Sumatra. The company is exploring opportunities in South Africa, Mozambique and Kazakhstan and has engaged in preliminary discussion for acquisitions. Besides, NTPC is one of the equity partners in International Coal Ventures (ICVL), a special purpose vehicle formed by PSUs to acquire coal properties abroad. ICVL is also exploring various opportunities in Australia, Canada for acquisition of stake in coking coal and thermal coal mines.
STUMBLING BLOCK
Sugico Graha, the firm identified for equity acquisition, has expressed its inability to offer stake to NTPC The development could delay NTPC's plan to augment coal supply for fuel-starved stations NTPC has told power min the firm may only supply 5 mtpa coal with index-linked pricing through advance payment

(Source: Economic Times, New Delhi, dt. March 19, 2009)

Call to conserve environment

GUWAHATI, March 18, 2009: A workshop on 'National Environment Awareness Campaign, 2008-2009' on climate change was organised by Environmental Watch and Management Institute (EWMI) recently with support from Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, a press release said.

The programme was held on the premises of Dharapur Higher Secondary School, Dharapur. Dr Dilip Kumar Deka, environmentalist, inaugurated the workshop by planting a Neem tree. Ramani Kanta Sarma, chief engineer, Gauhati University, Jatin Kalita, principal, Dharapur HS School, Dr Chandra Sarma, the first Assamese woman to receive Mahila Shiromoni Award, 2008, also participated in the plantation programme. As a part of the day-long workshop, a drawing competition was held. About 70 students of seven high schools, higher secondary schools and an art school of west Guwahati participated in the drawing competition. The main lecture session began with Jusmita Borah, member, EWMI, explaining the aims and objectives of the workshop.

Dr Sarbeswar Kalita, Head, Department of Environmental Science, Gauhati University, delivered a lecture on the subject, 'Climate change and its effect' and how it would make its impact on the people of north-east India. He explained the various types of weather elements that are responsible for climatic condition of a particular region. He also highlighted carbon dioxide emission which is catalysing global warming, the most burning issue.

Dr Gagen Chandra Sarma, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, stressed the importance of conserving the environment. He asked the common people to come forward and play a vital role in conservating the earth. He also urged the participants to plant least one tree on their birthdays and on any other auspicious occasion. Altogether 150 people, including students, teachers and local people of the area, participated in the workshop and highlighted many important issues pertaining to climate change.

(Source: http://www.assamtribune.com)

Delhi High Court quashes FIR in illegal mining case

NEW DELHI, March 18, 2009 : Quashing an FIR registered under Section 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code in a case of illegal mining of sand in the Yamuna here, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Delhi police to register a fresh case under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957.

Justice M. C. Garg quashed the FIR on a petition by one of the accused in the case. The petitioner, Sanjay, submitted that registration of the FIR under Section 379 of the Code was illegal as no offence was made out under this provision in the facts of the case.  He submitted that offences, if made out at all, could have been registered under the said Act.

He further submitted that under the said Act, cognisance of an offence could be taken only on the basis of a complaint filed by an authorised officer. The Alipur police had registered the case in 2004 on their own on coming to know that some persons were removing and selling sand from the Yamuna basin. They had conducted a raid at the place and arrested the petitioner and other persons involved in the crime.

The Court in its judgment said: 'The offence under the said Act being cognisable, the police could have registered an offence in the case. However, so far as taking cognisance of offence under it is concerned, it can be taken by a Magistrate only on the basis of a complaint filed by an authorised officer.'

'Since the offence of mining of sand without permission is punishable under Section 21 of the Act, the question of the said offence being an offence under Section 379 of the Code does not arise because it makes mining an offence only where there is no permit/licence for such extraction and a complaint in this regard is filed by an authorised officer,' the Court observed. Lalit Yadav, one of the accused in the case, had the permission to mine sand in his land. However, they had exceeded the terms of the permit.

(Source: http://www.hindu.com)

Joint effort to develop coal mine to tackle power shortage

CHENNAI, March 18, 2009: The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), which has been in search of additional power to tide over shortage, has joined hands with the Assam and Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporations and Orissa Mining Corporation in developing a coal mine in Orissa as part of its long-term measures to solve the problem.

All the four organisations have floated a special purpose vehicle ' Mandakini B Coal Corporation Limited. The new company was registered on February 9, according to a senior TNEB official.

The inaugural meeting of the Board of Directors of the company will take place in Kolkata on Wednesday. Chairman C.P. Singh, Accounts Member S. Kathiresan and Member (Generation) K. Balasubramanian will take part in the meeting.

Named after the coal block allotted to the four States in July 2007, the firm has three representatives from each State on its Board. The company chairman will be from the four States on rotation basis.

Located in the Talcher coalfields, the block's coal reserve is estimated at 1,200 million tonnes. It will be equally divided among the four States. This cannot be supplied to consumers of Coal India against their existing linkages. The area of the coal block is 15.6 sq. km. At the peak rate, 3.5 million tonnes can be produced annually. The official explains that different options such as establishment of a pit-head power station or transporting coal to the State and using it here for any project to be proposed in future will be discussed later.

The importance of a coal mine owned by the TNEB can be gauged from the fact that the Board has been dependent on Coal India and its subsidiaries, Mahanadhi Coalfields and Eastern Coalfiels, for meeting the requirements of four thermal power stations. With the installed capacity of 2,970 MW, the stations' annual requirement is 15 million tonnes. Being located far away from the coal mines, Tamil Nadu is using multiple modes of transport (rail-cum-sea-cum-rail) to bring coal. For over 15 years, the State government urged the Centre for allotting a captive mine.

As on date, the coal stock available at the stations is around 4.8 lakh tonnes, equivalent to 10 days' requirements.

Another official explains that in the event of Coal India's failure to meet its commitment, coal produced from the block can be used to meet the shortfall. In the last four years, as the Central utility could not fulfil its obligations fully, the Board imported coal, ranging from one lakh tonnes in 2004-2005 to 20 lakh tonnes this year.

(Source: http://www.hindu.com)

Environment Dept. cautions against 'misinformation' drive

NEW DELHI, March 18, 2009: The State Environment Department has cautioned certain groups for carrying out a misinformation campaign over the ban on sale, storage and use of plastic bags in the Capital.

'It has come to our notice that certain groups have been propagating a misinformation campaign about the Delhi Government's notification issued in compliance of a High Court's order wherein sale, store and usage of plastic bags have been forbidden in the notified places which include local shopping centres and main markets. The case is coming up for hearing on March 19 in the High Court and no court has issued any stay against the notification dated January 7, 2009,' said a senior Environment Department official on Tuesday.

'Also, an FM radio campaign has been launched which is apparently mentioning the benefits of the use of plastic bags which is against the spirit of the High Court's order,' he added.According to the Department, the High Court after hearing all the contentions had passed directions that use of plastic bags shall be forbidden in the main markets and local shopping centres in Delhi. 'We want to inform the citizens that the High Court order is in force and anybody who is violating it will be guilty of contempt of court and is liable to be punished as per the provisions of the section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,' warned the official. The Department said the public, citizens and traders' associations can read the full notification of the Delhi Government on the website at www.environment.delhigovt.nic.in The notification and alternate bags including jute, cloth and paper and their availability has also given wide publicity in the website.

(Source: http://www.hindu.com

Need for better environment management highlighted at seminar on forest ecology

Chandigarh, March 17, 2009: A three-day conference on 'Plant Invasion and Forest Ecology: Concerns and Solutions' began at the Panjab University today. The conference was organised by the Botany department of the university in association with the International Union of Forest Research Organisation (IUFRO), Dayanand National Academy of Environment Sciences (DNAES), Society of Environmentalist (SES) and APFISN. The conference was inaugurated by co-ordinator of IUFRO-SPDC, Dr Michael Kline. Vice-Chancellor Prof R C Sobti, said, 'There is a need of better environment management.' He further advocated the plantation of native plant species. Chairman of the conference Prof R K Kohli said scientists from 12 countries are participating in the event. Prof R S Tripathi discussed the population dynamics of three invasive alien species of Eupatorium in northeast India in an ecological perspective. Prof R K Kohli discussed the ecological implications of invasive aliens in Shivalik Range of the Himachal Himalayas with special reference to Ageratum conyzoides. Prof Shibu Jose, from Florida (USA) delivered his talk on the role of species diversity and species identity in community resistance to invasion by citing the example of imperata cylinderica in south-eastern United States. Conservator of Forest and Director of Environment, UT Chandigarh, Ishwar Singh, shared his experience of controlling the spread of Lantana in the reserve forests of Chandigarh.

(Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/)

Illigal mining eroding Rajasthan forest cover
Jaipur, March 15, 2009: Holding reserves for 44 major and 22 minor minerals, Rajasthan is witnessing destruction of forests due to rampant illegal mining. This has been stated in the sixth 'State of India's Environment' report, "Rich Lands, Poor People: Is sustainable mining possible", prepared by the Centre for Science and Environment. According to the report, the illegal mines in the state lack mechanism for implementation of environmental protection measures. The report also airs concern about the plight of the workers engaged in these mines. "Because these mines operate beyond the law, workers' rights are not recognised. They are neither provided basic amenities like toilets and water nor safety procedures or compensation for accidents," states the report.

The report also mentions the lifting of ban on mining leases in Schedule-V areas by the previous BJP regime and apprehends that the Congress government may soon give in to pressure from the industry, which seems all set to grab the mining leases. As per this 350-page report, the state government has failed to regulate illegal mining in forest areas. Udaipur, the district with the maximum forest cover, is also the most mined. According to the report, the government has "issued leases for hundreds of mines in Sariska National Park despite repeated Supreme Court orders to shut them down", which had wreaked havoc on the forest cover of the state. The report goes on to add that extensive mining of sandstone, marble and other minerals has "converted the Aravallis into a rocky wasteland", further adding that despite Supreme Court orders mining has continued unabated in the Aravallis. The report says Rajasthan is the only producer of garnet, jasper, selenite, wollastonite and zinc concentrates. However, it is best known for its production of marble, sandstone, marble and other stones. It produces 10 per cent of the world's and 70 per cent of India's output of sandstone.

(http://www.tribuneindia.com)

No 'green' light for Vedanta plan

Bhubaneswar, March 11, 2009: The Rs 11,500 crore expansion plan of Vedanta Aluminium (VAL) at Jharsuguda in Orissa may be delayed due to environmental issues.

The company put up its expansion proposal before the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Orissa Ltd two months ago. It proposed to increase the Jharsuguda smelter's capacity to 1.4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) from the current 0.5 million tonnes. However, the proposal is yet to be placed before the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority. Sources said the environmental 'carrying capacity' study being commissioned by the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) in the Sambalpur-Jharsuguda belt and the state government's reported reluctance to provide more bauxite mines to VAL are delaying matters. The proposed expansion was discussed when Vedanta chief, Anil Agarwal, called on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the first week of January 2009. The company has indicated that if timely approval is given, it would like to complete the expansion by the end of November 2010. The aluminium rodding shop and the bake oven of the smelter project are expected to be completed by April and July 2010, respectively.

Sources said the process for the study on environmental carrying capacity of industries in Sambalpur-Jharsuguda has been set in motion by SPCB. It has invited technical offers from five IITs (Kanpur, Kharagpur, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai), the Nagpur-based National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) from Delhi, for the study. These institutes are to give their offer by the end of this month. The selected institute will take up the study within a 35-km radius around Rengali. The study is expected to consider the existing level of emissions, water and air pollution, and project future levels. Based on the study, it will recommend how many industries, particularly in sectors like power, aluminium and steel, should come up in the area. Since the seasonal data for a year will be required, the study is likely to take more than a year.

Sources said the state government has asked SPCB to give a preliminary report on the carrying capacity in about three months, suggesting environmental mitigation measures to be taken by the new industries. It will be incorporated in the memorandum of understanding to be signed between the state government and the companies and will facilitate the government in taking decisions on some important projects. However, with the model poll code of conduct in force and the outcome of the carrying capacity study yet to be known, the investment plans of different companies in that area will be delayed, sources added.

(source: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news)

Illegal mining poses threat to Rajasthan eco system

JAIPUR, March 10, 2009: Unregulated legal mining and rampant illegal mining are posing a serious threat to Rajasthan's forests, water bodies 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. These ominous signs of an impending ecological disaster encompassing land, air and water have been mentioned in the Sixth State of India's Environment Report, 'Rich Lands, Poor People; Is Sustainable Mining Possible',' prepared by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The report was released in Udaipur over the weekend by Justice Govind Mathur of the Rajasthan High Court at a function co-organised by the Jodhpur-based Mine Labour Protection Campaign (MLPC). 'With the industry ready to pounce on mining leases in Schedule V areas ' banned for the last nine years and opened by the previous BJP Government led by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in 2008 ' it could be only a matter of time before the current government gives in to industry pressure and lure of the money,' the report notes. 'Rajasthan is sitting on a potential outburst of mining activities which can lead to very serious consequences,' it warns. The report rues the fact that despite repeated Supreme Court orders to close down the mines, operations continue in Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district and Jamwa Ramgarh Sanctuary near Jaipur. In the Bijolia area of Bhilwara district, which had 23,800 hectares under dense forests in 1971, only 12,800 hectares remained by 1991. 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.

Threat to water bodies

Reckless mining operations in the catchment areas have played a role in the present threat to the water bodies of the water-scarce Rajasthan. The limestone mines of Chittorgarh, operational since 1987, have breached the region's water table. In New Surjana village, located near the mines, there is an acute water scarcity and recession in the groundwater table. Chittorgarh town is getting choked due to marble slurry being dumped in Chhatriwali Khaan, a mine abandoned since 2004. 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.

(http://www.hindu.com)

Exploring future of environment laws needed for Earth's survival

PANJIM, March 9, 2009: People have to be proactive to combat environmental destruction and for the survival of Earth it is needed to explore the future of environment laws, stated Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Swatanter Kumar in his inaugural address of Asia Pacific Jurist Association (APJA) conference on 'Law as an instrument of environment conservation' held in the city on Monday. He said, environmental issue is a burning issue, and covers whole family of the world. Destruction of environment is a crime against humanity and it has to be dealt with strictly. Indicating that Judiciary has shouldered its share of responsibility, he said, Court ruling made the Delhi government switch onto CNG buses. Goa, he said, has been in the forefront in prosecuting big companies for environment degradation. 'In 1976 a big company was prosecuted', he said further adding that corporate sector has important role to play, and take up its social responsibility. Earlier, Justice Anil Kumar of Delhi High Court and Executive President of APJA, in his opening remarks said, indiscriminate industrialisation has given birth to present-day problems related to environment. Former chief justice Vijendra Jain said, environmental laws are now imperative. Mementos were presented to various dignitaries including President of Goa High Court Bar Association Adv Jayant Mulgaokar and member of the Bar Adv Valmiki Menezes, and also to Adv Iftkhar Agha. The General Secretary of APJA Anil Sapra expressing his views said, 'We cannot afford to make mistakes that West made and, remedies have to be worked out to protect the environment. The inaugural session was followed by a session on Sustainable Development: Awareness and Responsibilities. Justice Hima Kohli of Delhi High Court, senior advocate Amarjit Singh Chandhiok and Adv Norma Alvares presented their views with stress on sustainable development, and role played by the Judiciary.
The session was chaired by Justice Sudarshan Mishra. The second session was on 'Environment Conservation: Corporate Role and Responsibilities. Speakers were senior counsels M S Usgaoncar, Amarjit Singh Chandhiok, and Surendra Desai. Jugal Wadhwa, honorary secretary of APJA proposed the vote of thanks.

(Source: http://oheraldo.in)

State poor in utilising science projects

KOCHI, March 7, 2009: Expressing concern over Kerala not taking the initiative to grab projects sponsored by the CSIR, National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources chief Gangan Pratap said that the state stood at third last spot in the list of applicants just ahead of Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand recently. The Legal hurdles in taking up the projects and countless administrative issues were keeping the projects out of reach of the researchers, he lamented while speaking at a function organised by the Centre for Science Communication of the Cochin University of Science and Technology on environmental protection on Friday. Expressing deep concern over man-made problems which were causing widespread damage to the ecosystem, ASLI prize winner and senior Cusat scientist, K Mohankumar said that the extreme climatic condition was one of its consequences. Speaking at the function organised to felicitate him on his winning the award, he said that instead of blaming it on global warming, there should be control on activities like reclamation of paddy fields. The vanishing of water bodies and water sources has led to humidity, dust and other particles getting concentrated in the upper reaches of the atmosphere. This results in heat accumulation in the lower atmosphere, he said. Forest fire, industrial pollution, exhaust from automobiles and other sources and air conditioners have threatened the very existence of life on the planet, he said. The cycle of time keeps changing the climatic condition on earth which had experienced the worst conditions thousands of years ago, he said. Man's uncontrolled intervention had led to distortion of the cycle, he said.

(Source: http://www.expressbuzz.com)

Protection of village ponds mooted

Chandigarh, March 6, 2009: The Punjab assembly yesterday passed resolutions recommending the protection and re-digging of village ponds and a ban on the use of polythene bags as well as the burning of wheat and paddy stubbles in the state. The House included the recommendation to ban polythene bags in the very last minute of discussion on the interjection of BJP minister Tikshan Sood. It seemed the treasury benches were elongating the debate on the resolution. However, no concrete suggestions of a definite model to be adopted for this purpose could emerge despite the debate taking an extremely long time. The resolution on village ponds was introduced by Sohan Singh Thandal, who also spoke about how village ponds, which were earlier a centre of village life, had become polluted and in many cases had disappeared altogether. He called for using modern technology to clean and maintain the ponds. Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal claimed that solutions must be found to the problem of duckweed infestation in ponds and other issues. Balbir Singh Ghunas said the government should give funds to panchayats to clean ponds while Virsa Singh Valtoha claimed the Rural Development Department was not taking appropriate interest in shifting of village ponds where necessary. Dr Dalbir Singh Verka urged that old ponds near villages should be shifted outside but BJP legisator Jagdish Sahni objected to this. BJP legislator Anil Joshi recommended the government make appropriate legislation to check the burning of straw, wheat chaff and rice husk as well as grass alongside canals.

(source: http://www.tribuneindia.com)

GSI to probe illegal mining along rivers in the state

LUCKNOW: Taking serious note of illegal mining along river with the help of heavy machines in Uttar Pradesh, the high court on Friday constituted a probe committee to be presided by the Geological Survey of India. The court has directed the committee to submit its report in a sealed cover to the court by May 10. The committee will comprise the members of environment and ground water departments of the Central and state governments, state secretary of mining and environment and geological scientist nominated by IIT Kanpur. The order was passed by a division bench of Justice DP Singh and Justice VD Chaturvedi on a writ petition filed by one Noor Mohammad, while converting it into a public interest litigation (PIL) petition. The court appointed a local lawyer, BK Singh as amicus curiae to give assistance to the court in the matter. In course of hearing of the petition, the court came across the fact that illegal mining is being done by JCB machines at the river beds, especially in Hamirpur, Saharanpur, Bagpat, Jalaun, Sonbhadra, Banda, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Allahabad and Kaushambi. The bench has sought clarification from mining secretary, Ram Bodh Maurya for not taking action against the guilty of illegal mining in Bijnore on the report of Geological Survey of India. The bench said that illegal mining in the area has become a threat to environment and rivers. The court has asked the government if it has prepared any plan to check illegal mining and take action against mining mafia. The court said that the state government has ample powers under Mines and Minerals (Development Regulation) Act 1957 to stop illegal mining in forests and along river beds. The court fixed May 8 as the next date of hearing in the matter.

(Source: Times of India, Lucknow, dt. 07/03/2009)

Online system to monitor smoke levels

Jamshedpur, March 3: Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) has decided to make online stack monitoring system compulsory in medium and large scale industrial units. The JSPCB authorities will issue a circular to this effect to all such units and especially to those which have smokestacks.

JSPCB member secretary R.K. Sinha said the department had taken a decision and was preparing a list of units, which would come under the purview of pollution control norms. According to Sinha, the online stack monitoring system would be installed to ensure that the industries such as thermal power and sponge iron units are making use of electrostatic precipitators (ESP) machines. Sinha said almost all industrial units that have smokestack and adds to air pollution have installed ESP machines at their plant following the directives of the JSPCB, but very few of them operate the machine as it consumes a huge amount of electricity. 'After installing the online stack monitoring system the units would not be able to hoodwink the JSPCB. Once installed, the system will be linked to JSPCB and we can monitor and keep a tab on the production activities through the online system. This will compel the units authorities to run the ESP machines,' said the senior official. He said the management of the industrial units concerned would have to buy machine from JSPCB that cost about Rs 5 lakh. 'In the beginning, we have kept small industry like foundry and brick kiln out of the decision. The owners of such units will not be able to bear the expenditure at present but later, we would bring the small-scale units within the ambit of online stack monitoring system,' Sinha said. Six sponge iron units in Chowka and over eight at Ramgarh have been identified along with Adhunik Power in Adityapur where implementation of the system would be made compulsory. 'Violation of pollution control norms is a corporate crime and the board will take punitive measures against those who fail to abide by the norms,' said Sinha

(Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com)

Coal tourism to rake in revenue

BCCL plans infrastructure revamp to woo visitors

Dhanbad, March 2: A holiday in the grimy coal belt' You sure shudder at the thought today. But your choice might just change tomorrow when the Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), in association with the state tourism department, turns the hitherto uninviting land into a desired destination.

The BCCL has already conducted a survey to shortlist a few spots. Tundi, Maindih, Vighmaria, Bhatdih, Muraidih and Jhunarkudar colliery areas are on the revamp radar to rake in revenue. The project will be sponsored by the coal major and the tourism department. Divisional forest officer, Dhanbad, Sanjeev Kumar said pollution control measures had already been initiated to make the coal belt more inviting for tourists. The hi-tech BCCL mines in Moondih will draw visitors once the proposed guesthouses are ready and road connectivity improved, he added. An abandoned pit at Jhunarkudar, which has turned into a natural lake, will also be developed as a tourist spot. The coal bed methane project is, a unique initiative of the BCCL at Moondih, is likely to attract visitors, too.

Kumar said several spots in the rural pockets of the district had tourism potential that could be tapped to generate revenue. He was referring to the waterfall at Bandhdih village of Tundi and the picturesque charm of Parasbani village.

(Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com)

Eco-watchdogs vs coal miners: a tie for now

- Visiting central team denies s PSUs' claims of delayed clearances, says most project reports flawed

Ranchi, March 2: If 90 per cent of coal mines operating in Jharkhand were doing so without mandatory environmental clearances, it was because the laws were new and the mines were old. In a sparring match that yielded no winners, visiting environmental officials from Delhi today battled it out with public sector representatives of the mining industry, both zealously protecting their turf at an event designed to better understand each other's perspectives and speed up clearances of coal projects. Director, coal mines, Union ministry of environment and forests, T. Chandni surprised all by declaring that 90 per cent of mines running in Jharkhand were without environmental clearances. 'We are persuading them to follow the environment protection law,' she said. 'We have got a good response from Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) but not so from Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).' Chandni's statement, made to The Telegraph on the sidelines of a two-day interactive session between the ministry's 15-member Environment Appraisal Committee (EAC) and coal company chiefs of CCL, BCCL, Mahanadi Coalfileds Limited (MCL) and Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), was greeted with an immediate response. CCL runs around 63 mines in Jharkhand, while BCCL owns around 75, and ECL 10. EAC chairman A. Balraj was categorical too. Refuting the industry's complaint that they sit on clearances, he said: 'Not a single project is pending with us for environmental clearance. All we look at while conducting appraisals is that projects should not clash with the (interest and well being of) people.' Chandni had an answer to CIL's Bhattacharya, too. 'Stop various washeries which are polluting the Damodar river,' she told him. She also pointed out how companies weren't following norms while reclaiming abandoned mines. And how proposals sent to them were hazy on the environmental criteria. 'The environmental impact assessment (EIA) study is often vague and incomplete. Sometimes, the data furnished by Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI) and the concerned coal company varies. That's why we are forced to return proposals,' she said. When a senior coal industry official sought a model EIA that could be valid for all coal projects, Chandni shot back: 'Just as every mining project needs a project feasibility report, each project also needs an environmental assessment.' In the end, it was left to CIL's Bhattacharya to make peace at the CMPDI-hosted event at the Indian Institute of Coal Management (IICM) auditorium. 'We are on the same side. Development is our common goal which can be achieved only when we increase coal production and meet the growing demand of the upcoming thermal power stations,' he said.

(source: http://www.telegraphindia.com)

Push for fast green clearance to mines

Ranchi, March 1: The environment appraisal committee of the Union ministry of environment and forests today accepted that the coal industry needed fast green clearance to increase production and meet growing demands. But changes are needed in the environmental laws, it observed. The 15-member committee, which attended an interactive session with the chiefs of coal companies from across the country at IICM here, asked the ministry of coal to approach the ministry of environment and forests to move the proposal for bringing in statutory changes. Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Ltd (CMPDIL) director (technical) A.K. Debnath said that there was a consensus on removing the statutory hurdles for giving fast environmental clearance to the expansion plans of some 100 existing coal mines across the country, most of which are in Jharkhand. Under the set guidelines, fresh environmental clearance has to be taken of existing mines if the coal companies want to expand them. 'We want cluster concept. There should be one clearance for various mines projects operating in a particular area,' said a senior coal company official. At the meet's inaugural address, A. Balraj, the committee chairman, said the important role being played by coal in energy security of the country and stressed on the need for mitigating environmental damage because of coal mining. He added that public sector units, whose operations are not solely guided by profit making, have to play important role in promoting environmentally benign mine design and operations. CMPDI chairman and managing director A.K. Singh presented the work carried out by CIL and CMPDI in the field of environment and social uplift of community in the coalfields.  The meet is being attended by more than 15 members of the committee, chiefs of CMPDI and CCL and directors of CIL subsidiaries, including MCL, ECL and BCCL.

(Source : http://www.telegraphindia.com)

Coal pit fire fuels worries

Dhanbad, March 1: Union minister of state for coal Santosh Bagrodia today said that the Jharia coalfield was sitting on an atom bomb. He was referring to the inferno raging underneath. The minister, who was in the district to inaugurate the statue of former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi at Koylanagar, emphasised on the need for immediate implementation of the Jharia Action Plan. He, however, refused to comment whether the plan would be presented during the next cabinet meeting. Bagrodia said pillars of 20m width in several areas of Jharia had been reduced to one metre due to the underground fire, in such a situation accident can take place any time. Supporting his argument, the Union minister said more than 67 places of the Jharia coalfield is affected by the underground fire. Urging people living in unsafe areas to shift to the safer terrain, he said all facilities like roads, hospitals, schools and markets would be set up at the new place. 'The total cost of shifting the Jharia people would require about Rs 10,000 crore' Bagrodia said, adding that there would be no dearth of money for carrying it out.  At a news conference, he said though Jharia town is completely safe, people living in the peripheral areas are prone to risk and should immediately vacate the areas.  Regarding performance of Coal India Limited, he said the company would achieve the projected target of 405 million tonnes in the current fiscal which would ensure more supply of coal. He added that the workers would get the benefit of around Rs 4,000 crore from the new wage agreement of the coal company, that too in five years instead of 10.  Highlighting the problem of drinking water in coal belt, he said it is a serious one and all efforts are being made to find a solution to it.  Talking about global crisis he said while the banks in the west have failed, banks in India have not been affected by the situation.

(Source : http://www.telegraphindia.com)