Distt Survey Report, Replenishment Studies for minor minerals
Now, G&M Deptt claims it has expertise in the field
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Dec 16: An exercise for preparation of District Survey Report and Replenishment Studies for minor minerals in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which was initiated last year through proper tendering process, has been left half-way abruptly by the Geology and Mining Department thereby raising eyebrows in the official circles besides causing delay in the task, which otherwise is mandatory to obtain environmental clearance for mining of minor minerals irrespective of area of mining lease.
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On May 30, 2023, the Geology and Mining Department floated tender for preparation/updation of District Survey Report and Replenishment Studies for minor minerals in all the 20 districts of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The last date for submission of tenders was June 26, 2023.
Keeping in view poor response to the NIT, the department again floated the NIT on July 17, 2023 and August 12, 2023 was fixed as last date for the same. After following the due procedure, the Geology and Mining Department shortlisted a consultancy firm and finally assigned the task of preparation of District Survey Report and Replenishment Studies for minor minerals.
“However, after some months, the exercise came to the sudden halt as Geology and Mining Department abruptly cancelled the agreement with the firm and this has raised eyebrows in the official circles as well as created delay in carrying out the task which otherwise is mandatory to obtain environmental clearance for mining of minor minerals irrespective of area of Mining Lease”, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
They said, “the District Survey Report is important for the guidance, assessment and sanction for giving environment clearance to the mine plan of the minor mineral or if any correction or so is needed in the mine plan”, adding “moreover, the objectives of the preparation of District Survey Report are to ensure identification of river sand mining areas with geo references, identification of potential area of river silt with geo reference, which is being used for filling purposes, identification of other minor minerals with geo reference and identification of other mineral resources if available”.
When contacted, Joint Director Geology and Mining Department Harbans Langeh said, “as the firm, which was engaged for the task through proper procedure was not working as per the satisfaction of the department a decision was taken to cancel the agreement”, adding “now, some of the experts in the department are handling the task”.
There was no reply from the Joint Director when asked about the necessity of engaging some firm for preparation of District Survey Report and Replenishment Studies for minor minerals when expertise in the field was available with the department.
About the delay due to cancellation of agreement, the officer said, “our team is on the job and hopefully exercise will be completed as expeditiously as possible and thereafter the necessary details will be placed before the Environment Impact Assessment Authority of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which will scrutinize and recommend the prior environmental clearance of mining of minor mineral on basis of District Survey Report”.
As per the sources, the mining of minor minerals has many positive impacts on the economy and on the quality of life of people. However, if extracted in excess amount beyond the replenishment rate, it has an adverse and destructive impact, on the river system, making it unsustainable. “The replenishment studies suggest mining of blocks on rotation basis in such a way that pit of previous year mining will act as depository for the monsoon season”, they further said.
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