Mining is jeopardising the ecology of the area,
reports Bharat Dogra
 |
Ravaging
Ecology: Mining in the area |
| |
Villagers
formed groups like the Braj Rakshak Dal to fight against mining.
An activist was murdered recently |
The braj pilgrimage
is usually identified with the temples and ashrams of Mathura —
Vrindavan region; many pilgrimage sites too exist in the Braj hills
of Deeg and Kaman tehsils in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. These
hills are of great ecological significance as they conserve water and
shield the villages from sandstorms. The greenery of this region supports
the pastoral people (the famous gwalas of Braj) as well as nomadic pastoral
groups from other parts.
The highly destructive
mining practices in recent years have threatened this traditional role
of Braj hills. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has criticised
the mining practices in its report dated November 14, 2005. The report
clearly stated that mining activities should be stopped and an action
plan for the ecological rehabilitation of this region be introduced.
Also an investigation team appointed by High Court of Rajasthan condemned
the violation of legal norms during the mining.
Despite these reports
the use of dynamite and heavy machinery is on the rise. According to
local activists some cracks have started appearing in a site known as
Fisalni Shila. Another site Khatshila was ravaged by a dynamite. Mining
work is getting closer to other sites like Vyomsur ki Pahari, Charan
Pahari and Jarkhor ki Gufa very quickly.
The Rajasthan government
has issued instructions to safeguard specific sites. At ground level
it did not work out since it is not possible to exactly identify a pilgrimage
route. In any case these orders were violated on large scale.
Villagers have
started mobilising protective groups like Braj Rakshak Dal to launch
a campaign against mining in this area. A leading activist of the group
Siyaram Gujjar was murdered on April 22. As a reaction to this his widow
and mother along with other members of the Dal staged a dharna at Jantar
Mantar in New Delhi.
Activists of Braj
Rakshak Dal say that due to the highly mechanised nature of the mining
work, not many people will be unemployed after the ban. Sustainable
livelihood for villagers is more important, they insist.
It seems more appropriate
to employ these workers in ecological rehabilitation process. In addition
close involvement of local villagers and social activists should be
obtained for the success of the plan.
