Mining threatens wildlife in North Karanpura block
RANCHI: A team of wildlife experts, constituted by the state government to find out the impact of coal mining in North Karanpura Coal Blocks (NKBC), has suggested to the forest department to declare a pristine hill as conservation reserve.
The Mahodi hill is situated in the midst of NKBC, which has 7% of India's coal reserves. The valley is culturally and environmentally rich and experts think that coal mining might damage the rich bio diversity in the area. Principal investigator D S Srivastava said the area is full of surface coal. "Once the coal mining starts in all the blocks, the forests and its biodiversity would be destroyed," said Srivastava.
The hill has rich in flora and fauna. There are 59 species of trees, 18 species of shrubs, two species of herbs, two species of climbers and 2 species of grasses. It also has 53 species of birds, 7 species of reptiles, and 19 species of major mammals.
The experts have suggested ways to mitigate the impact of mining, though. "The government should declare the hill as Conservation Reserve site. It would save the hill from getting destroyed," said Srivastava. A total of 52 coal blocks have been allotted to different companies in NKCB. A team of 25 experts arrived in NKBC to assess the impact of mining in the area. The government of Jharkhand wants to conduct a study to ensure minimum damage to the site. The impact assessment has been funded by NTPC. The team comprised of P S Easa, a wildlife expert from Kerala and former Jharkhand principal chief conservator of forest J B Jauher apart from Srivastava.
A detailed report would be submitted by the team to the government soon.
The tourism department has already taken cognizance of tribals' ancient remains, considered a world heritage, which is decaying due to mining in the NorthKaranpura Valley. The International Council on Monuments and Sites has already issued an alert about the archeological site decaying due to coal mining. "The site has several megaliths. It is home to several most primitive stone tools from the stone-age and rock arts. The department has roped in well-known archeologists and scientists to help it revive the heritage site," said tourism department principal secretary Sajjal Chakraborty. Recently Chakraborty had himself visited the site.
The Mahodi hill is situated in the midst of NKBC, which has 7% of India's coal reserves. The valley is culturally and environmentally rich and experts think that coal mining might damage the rich bio diversity in the area. Principal investigator D S Srivastava said the area is full of surface coal. "Once the coal mining starts in all the blocks, the forests and its biodiversity would be destroyed," said Srivastava.
The hill has rich in flora and fauna. There are 59 species of trees, 18 species of shrubs, two species of herbs, two species of climbers and 2 species of grasses. It also has 53 species of birds, 7 species of reptiles, and 19 species of major mammals.
The experts have suggested ways to mitigate the impact of mining, though. "The government should declare the hill as Conservation Reserve site. It would save the hill from getting destroyed," said Srivastava. A total of 52 coal blocks have been allotted to different companies in NKCB. A team of 25 experts arrived in NKBC to assess the impact of mining in the area. The government of Jharkhand wants to conduct a study to ensure minimum damage to the site. The impact assessment has been funded by NTPC. The team comprised of P S Easa, a wildlife expert from Kerala and former Jharkhand principal chief conservator of forest J B Jauher apart from Srivastava.
A detailed report would be submitted by the team to the government soon.
The tourism department has already taken cognizance of tribals' ancient remains, considered a world heritage, which is decaying due to mining in the NorthKaranpura Valley. The International Council on Monuments and Sites has already issued an alert about the archeological site decaying due to coal mining. "The site has several megaliths. It is home to several most primitive stone tools from the stone-age and rock arts. The department has roped in well-known archeologists and scientists to help it revive the heritage site," said tourism department principal secretary Sajjal Chakraborty. Recently Chakraborty had himself visited the site.
No comments:
Post a Comment