This story is from September 25, 2018

Jawahar Sagar park under threat from illegal mining

One of the few dense forests in Rajasthan, the Jawahar Sagar Sanctuary (JSS) in Bundi district, which is the face of the tourism department’s signature slogan ‘Janne Kya Dikh Jaaye’ is facing a serious threat from rampant illegal sandstone mining in the ecosensitive zone (ESZ).
Jawahar Sagar park under threat from illegal mining
Over 500 quarries operate illegally in the eco-sensitive zone
JAIPUR: One of the few dense forests in Rajasthan, the Jawahar Sagar Sanctuary (JSS) in Bundi district, which is the face of the tourism department’s signature slogan ‘Janne Kya Dikh Jaaye’ is facing a serious threat from rampant illegal sandstone mining in the ecosensitive zone (ESZ).
Large-scale stone quarrying activities in adjoining areas of JSS and eco-fragile region of the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary is already threatening the existence of many endangered species.

The region is home to a variety of wild species like crocodile, otter, long-billed vulture, leopard, sloth bear etc. The zone also has the perennial Chambal river that sustains an ecosystem of rich biodiversity.
Wildlife activists in the area alleged that stone mining is carried out in blatant violation of a Supreme Court order as these mines operate without environmental clearances from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
Tapeshwar Singh Bhati, wildlife activist, said, “After Goa mining case in 2006, the Supreme Court had directed the ministry of forest and environment (MoEF) to make NBWL clearance mandatory for carrying out any activity in ESZ.”
He said, “Under section 5C of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, NBWL has been vested with the authority to conserve and develop biodiversity by taking appropriate measures. Any activity involving use or alteration of any part of a protected area requires approval and consideration of the NBWL. But no mine owner has taken clearance till date.”

There are more than 500 quarries in the area which also come under the ESZ of Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR). They fall within 10-km radius of both JSS and MHTR ESZ.
As per rules, state governments are required to send a proposal for declaring an area as ESZ and once it is accepted by the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change, it gets notified. Generally, an ESZ varies from place to place. As far as the MHTR and the JSS are concerned, a 10-km radius is treated as the ESZ since Rajasthan government has not forwarded any actual proposal for approval.
Confirming the presence of quarries, the MHTR deputy conservator of forest T Mohanraj said, “These mines are operational in the ESZ. This year, we have written letters twice (January and March) to the mining department to take action against these mines. Following this, many mine owners applied for NBWL clearance. However, they have not submitted complete documents.”
An official at the mining department, on the condition of anonymity, said, “The district environment and assessment authority (DEAA) has provided conditional no objection certificate to these mine owners. After notices were issued recently, majority of the owners have applied for NBWL permissions, which are awaited. The decision to take action will be taken at the state government level.”
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