Controversy over mining site

On January 2, 1989 J&K Government sanctioned mining rights for 20 years in favour of National Mineral Development Corporation for mining of Magnesite and Dolomite in Trikuta Hills near the Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.  In 2011 it was renewed for another ten years. Though the total mining lease area in Magnesite zone is 1.4 sq kilometer, the area required for breaking the earth for mining purpose is 26.42 hectares. The site is close to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi to which pilgrims from all over the country come in hundreds of thousands round the year. Mining in the hills close to the shrine will cause pollution in the air and depletion of the ecology of the area. As it will be opencast mechanized involving drilling and blasting, it will result in generating huge fugitive dust as well as the apprehension of disturbing the strata of the hill slopes in the entire area. We are not sure the Mineral Development Corporation has obtained expert opinion of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on the impact of mining on the ecology of the shrine and the pilgrims visiting the shrine. There are other issues as well that surface in this case. The land at Chipprain near Katra on which mining is proposed belongs to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. Although the Government has claimed that it is barren and not forestland yet many trees have been felled which contradicts the claim of the Government. If it is really barren land then why did the Corporation approach the State Forest Department for clearance?
The fact is that there are technical as well as social issues involved in allowing mining of an area which stands close to the Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. This is an area where people from all parts of the country come in hundreds of thousands round the year. We need to ensure their health lest the dust arising from excavations close to the shrine adversely affects their health. Secondly, the formation of the rocks needs to be examined by experts to ensure that mining in the close areas will not damage the shrine. In view of these objections, the Government should refer the matter to an expert body for its opinion. A broad-based meeting of all stakeholders should be held to discuss the issue and take a decision. No arbitrary decision should be imposed and the people who feel that mining will cause damage to the shrine have to be convinced. The Government should handle this issue with patience and care.

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