Srinagar, Sep 23: The government has informed the Legislative Assembly that a sustainable approach was being followed to balance environmental protection and the need to supply construction material.
This was revealed in a written reply by minister in-charge of Mining Department to a query raised by MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone in the ongoing autumn session of the Assembly.
Lone asked the government about the steps taken to address the environmental concerns arisen due to mining activities vis-a-vis for ensuring availability of construction material for important developmental projects in J&K.
The minister in-charge in a written replay informed the House that the department follows a “sustainable approach” to mineral extraction so as to balance environmental protection with the need to supply construction material required for important developmental and infrastructure projects in J&K.
The government listed several measures taken in this regard saying that the mineral extraction was regulated in accordance with the J&K Minor Mineral Concession, Storage, Transportation and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2016, and other applicable environmental and statutory requirements.
“Mining, extraction activities are subjected to the requisite environmental safeguards, including environmental clearance, consent to establish or operate and other statutory clearances, wherever applicable, before commencement of operations,” the government informed the House.
As per the written reply, district-wise assessment and updation of District Survey Reports (DSRs) was undertaken to identify mineral resources even while being environmentally sustainable.
“Permission for extraction of riverbed minerals is given with due regard to the carrying capacity, river morphology, protection of embankments, bridges, roads, irrigation works and other infrastructure, and prescribed safety or buffer distances,” the reply reads.
“Regular enforcement drives, seizure of illegally extracted material or vehicles and machinery, assessment and recovery of applicable royalty, penalties and other dues are undertaken against unauthorized mining and transportation,” it further reads.
The government said the mining department was making use of Integrated Mine Surveillances System, GPS and VTD-based tracking, electronic transit passes and digital monitoring mechanisms for regulating the movement of minerals and curbing unauthorised extraction and transportation.
“At the same time, the department facilitates the identification, assessment and regulated extraction of minor mineral resources such as sand, bajri, boulders, aggregates, clay and other construction minerals, for the sake of construction material for roads, tunnels, bridges, railway projects, irrigation works and other important developmental projects,” the reply reads.
As per the reply, the department coordinates with the concerned district administration, executing agencies and other regulatory departments so that the requisite construction material is sourced through lawful and environmentally compliant channels.
“Wherever applicable, conditions relating to progressive reclamation, restoration and rehabilitation of mined-out areas are incorporated in the approved mining or environmental management framework and are required to be complied with by the project proponents or lessees,” it reads.
About the procedure adopted for grant or allotment of mining leases with specific reference to those person and stakeholder hailing from other parts of the country, the government said as per the standing operation procedure adopted for e-auction and mineral concession of Minor Mineral blocks, identification, delineation and grant of Minor Mineral Blocks in J&K are undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the J&K Minor Mineral Concession, Storage, Transportation of Minerals and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2016.
The rules have been notified vide SRO-105 dated March 31, 2016, read with the applicable guidelines and notifications issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, including the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016, the Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining, 2020, the EIA Notification, 2006 (S.O. 1533(E) dated September 14, 2006), SO 141(E) dated January 15, 2016, and amendments issued thereto from time to time.
About the steps taken to ensure that leased out mining areas are actually explored and managed in accordance with the approved mining plans also whether any lease has remained non-operational, the government said the Minor Mineral Blocks in J&K were surveyed in accordance with the J&K Minor Mineral Concession, Storage, Transportation of Minerals and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2016 notified vide SRO 105 of 2016 read with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India Sand Mining Guidelines, 2016 and 2020.
“The mining operation by the lease holders is regularly monitored by the various field functionaries to ensure that the activity is carried out strictly in compliance of Mining Regulations and other standing legal framework,” the reply reads.
With regard to the checks and balances maintained, the government said that a district level multi departmental Task Force cell headed by concerned Deputy Commissioner and District Mineral Officer as Member Secretary are constituted to supervise the mining activities in the district and report any irregularities to the competent authority for appropriate action under rules.
“Vigilance cum enforcement team for Kashmir Division has been constituted strengthen the surveillance on extraction and transportation of mineral resources,” it reads.
The government said all the lease holders were registered on the departmental Web portal e-market/e-challans as vendor for sale of the minerals, and mineral transportation occurs only through security-based e-challans.
“Mineral check posts are established at key strategic locations for monitoring the extraction and transportation of minerals,” it reads.
