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Rajasthan Mining Projects Spark GIB Concerns
22 Oct
Summary
- Two limestone mining projects in Rajasthan granted clearance.
- One project is within a Great Indian Bustard priority area.
- Mining impacts on endangered bird habitats are under review.
Two limestone mining projects in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer have been granted environmental clearance, raising concerns as one is partially within a Great Indian Bustard (GIB) "priority area," crucial for the endangered bird's survival. The other project is situated just over a kilometre from such a habitat.
These recent approvals follow similar clearances for other limestone projects in the Jaisalmer region in previous months. The Parewar project, by Wonder Cement Limited, has a portion of its lease area within a GIB habitat and is also near the Mokla Parewar Conservation Reserve. The Ramgarh project, by Dalmia Bharat Green Vision Limited, is located near a GIB priority area.
Expert committees recommended environmental clearance for both, with stipulations for the Parewar project to cease mining in the sensitive habitat area. While impacts are assessed as potentially minor, mitigation measures are required. A Wildlife Institute of India assessment for the Ramgarh project found that although the mine itself is outside priority areas, the indirect impact zone contains grasslands used by GIB-associated species.
