Trans. Inst. Indian Geographers Geo-Environmental Consequences of River Sand and Stone Mining: A Case Study of Block,

Mr. Tejpal, M.S. Jaglan and B.S. Chaudhary, , Haryana

Abstract Accelerated developmental activities during the past few decades have imposed immense pressure on rivers which functions as life support systems. As a result, many river channels in the world have been altered drastically to the level beyond their natural resilience capacity. Among various types of human interventions, indiscriminate extraction of sand and gravel is most disastrous one, as it threatens the very existence of the riverine ecosystem. The present study examines the impact of sand and stone extraction on land and groundwater resources in the Narnaul Block of Haryana. For this purpose, areal expansion of sand and stone quarries and their impacts on local ecology in the study area have been examined using geo-spatial techniques. Images captured by Landsat 1 MSS and Landsat 7 ETM+ satellites between 1975 and 2009 have been used for the analysis. Changes in the natural vegetation as a function of the production level in the quarries have been computed using the normalized difference vegetation index. It is revealed that the vegetated areas have decreased rapidly between 1975 and 2009 following an upsurge in sand and stone mining activity in the region. In addition, excessive extraction of construction material has accelerated the decline in the groundwater level, particularly in the Dohan river catchment part of the study area in recent years. The construction boom has fueled the demand whereas weak governance and rampant corruption have facilitated hysterical and illegal mining of construction material from the dry river channels threatening ecology. Keywords: Geo-environmental, Sand extraction, Stone mining, Groundwater, Remote Sensing and GIS.

Introduction new private townships, adding more lanes There has been a distinct progress in built- to highways, flyovers, modernization up area and infrastructure development of airports, metro railways and other world over. These advancements however, subsequent growth in infrastructure projects are contributing to lopsided increase in (Singh et al., 2007; Leeuw et al., 2010). demand for resources such construction The contributory factors for this rapid material (Hemalatha et al., 2005). In the past pace of development is rise in foreign few decades, the demand for construction remittances and liberalized housing schemes material has been increasing in many parts for building constructions mainly from of the world due to high rise group housing banking sector (Padmalal et al., 2008). To and commercial complexes, growth of meet this ever growing demand for housing and infrastructure, construction materials and Pathania, 2008; Padmalal et al., 2008; such as sand, stone and clay are needed Leeuw et al., 2010; Apaydm, 2012; Tamang, in large quantities (Tepordei, 1995; Marh 2013). Various studies (Kondolf, 1994, 1997; and Pathania, 2008; Padmalal et al., 2008; Poulin et al., 1994; Padmalal and Arun, Leeuw et al., 2010). Large size materials 1998; Santo and Sanchez, 2002; Hemalatha such as boulders are used for road sloping et al., 2005; Sonak et al., 2006; Marquez and wall construction and medium and et al., 2007; Navarro and Carbonel, 2007; smaller grades (gravels and sands) are Singh et al., 2007; Peckenham et al., 2009; quarried for construction purpose (Padmalal Leeuw et al., 2010) reveal that sand mining and Arun, 1998; Padmalal, 2006). It is is taking place at a much faster rate than estimated that some 13 billion tons of stone, natural replenishments, which in turn has 10 billion tons of sand and gravel, and 500 led to severe ecological disorders. Excessive million tons of clay are used as construction sand mining causes erosion and deposition material worldwide annually (Monforton and in riverbeds which leads to alteration in Windsor, 2010). Sand and gravel (natural or the topography of the riverbeds and affects crushed) account for more than 90 percent of the ecosystem of the river (Tamang, 2013). the total volume of concrete used in a wide Mining activities lead to changes in forms variety of construction (Kim, 2005). of channels, physical habitats and food webs Due to rapid economic development, (Starnes, 1983; Rivier and Seguier, 1985; growing world population and mounting Thomas, 1985; Sandecki, 1989; Kitetu mega infrastructure projects, the demand for and Rowan, 1997), engineering structures construction material is expected to increase associated with river channels (Harvey and while land-based resources from quarries Smith, 1998; Padmalal et al., 2008; Tamang, are not in great supply. Being a valuable 2013), coastal and near shore environments nonfuel natural mineral commodity, it is (Jenkins et al., 1988; Gaillot and Piegay, almost impossible to build infrastructure 1999) agricultural lands (Hemalatha et al., without sand and gravels in any area (Drew 2005; Govindaraj et al., 2013) and social et al., 2002; Kim, 2005). However, in conditions (Yadav, 2007). today’s society the location of extraction Mining of sand and gravels cause operations, regulations, environmental alteration in fluvial characteristics of river effects, and aesthetic concerns regarding channels (Welhan, 2001). One of the effect is mining are issues of local as well as global modification of groundwater in the channel concern (Drew et al., 2002; Arun et al., 2006; due to formation of depressions (recharge Apaydm, 2012). areas) and change in the pathway of river. It has been observed in many studies that Such changes may increase or decrease indiscriminate mining of sand from riverbed groundwater recharge whereas shorter and floodplain areas lead to severe damages flow paths may increase susceptibility to to the river basin environment. In recent contamination while deflection in river paths studies the adverse environmental impacts of may lead to drying up of wells (Kondolf, the extraction of construction material have 1994, 1997; Sonak et al., 2006; Marquez been recognized and understood by many et al., 2007; Navarro and Carbonel, 2007; scholars (Kim, 2005; Arun et al., 2006; Marh Peckenham et al., 2009). This often causes

218 | Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 reduction of the aquifer volume as well Study Area (Apaydin et al., 1996; Welhan, 2001; Narnaul Block is a part of Mahendergarh Apaydm, 2012). district in southwestern Haryana. It shares The construction boom in and boundary with four districts of surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) namely Alwar, Jaipur, Sikar and Jhunjhunu. in Haryana has generated huge demand of It has a geographical extension between 27° concrete (Singh et al., 2007). This triggered 53´ 58´´ to 28° 11´ 6´´ North latitude and the quarrying of construction materials 75° 56´ 2´´ to 76° 9´ 55´´ East longitude directly from the beds of the surrounding (Fig. 1). The total area of the block is about rivers and adjoining terraces in Haryana. 321 km2 and the area under sand mining is The state has experienced large scale legal about 1.90 km2. But its natural topography is as well as illegal mining of construction affected by sand extraction and stone mining material heeding to increasing demand activities at much larger scale. Dohan of construction resources but not caring is the main river of the study area. The for the provisions made in several central elevation varies from 276 m to 642 m. The legislations for conservation of environment study area is mainly occupied by alluvial and mineral resources. The illegal extraction and sandy plains dotted with flat topped of these resources, with generous help Aravalli ridges. About 80 percent area of of political and bureaucratic big wigs, is the block is less than 350 m. Aravalli hills so unbridle that not only are the region’s in the region rise up to 650 m (Fig. 1). The precious natural resources being pilfered in study area has semi-arid climatic conditions a big way, its forests are being clean-felled, with hot summer and cool conditions during land degraded and its rivers threatened winter. The normal annual rainfall is about with extinction (Yadav, 2002). People 422 mm. The southwest monsoon that sets dependent upon such activities seem to be in the last week of June and withdrawal least concerned about its environmental by mid September contributes about 80 impacts, illegal quarrying was a common percent of the annual rainfall. July and practice and rampant till the Supreme Court August are the wet months. Remaining 20 order that banned it in October, 2009. The percent of the annual rainfall occurs during lack of sufficient information regarding the non-monsoon months on account of the negative effects of extraction activities thunder storms and western disturbances. has also been an important factor for There is significant inter-annual variation laying strategies for the conservation and in the rainfall. During 1975-2009 highest management of the small catchment rivers rainfall of 817 mm was experienced in 1996 in the region. Therefore, the present study while the lowest rainfall of 145 mm was is a modest attempt to evaluate the impacts recorded in 2002. Annual rainfall in the area of mining of sand and gravels on landuse/ is unreliable as co-efficient of variation of land cover, vegetation and groundwater rainfall is 42 percent. resources around the channel of river Dohan in Narnaul Block of district Mahendergarh in Haryana.

Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 | 219 Fig. 1

Objectives is the prime focus of this study. Though the The study mainly focuses on geo- data on area under different mining activities environmental impacts of mining of is not supplied by the Department of Mining construction material. It aims to realize and Geology, Haryana, frontier technology following objectives: i.e. Remote Sensing and GIS has been used for the present study. The satellite data of 1. To study the changes in pattern LANDSAT 1 MSS image for 1975 (Path of landuse/ land cover induced by 158, Row 41 for March 2) and LANDSAT extraction of construction material. 7 ETM+ for 2009 (Path 147, Row 41 for 2. To assess the consequences of sand March 9) have been used to determine the and gravel mining in terms of impact extension and direction of sand extraction on groundwater resources and local and landuse/ land cover changes in the study ecology of the region. area. Ancillary data such as Toposheets from Survey of on 1:50000 scale are obtained to prepare the base map and relief Data Base and Methodology map of the study area. The data related to The assessment of geo-environmental groundwater depth has been collected from impact of mining activities on local ecology Central Ground Water Board (Northern

220 | Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 Region), and Ground Water site because of their small size, limitations Cell (GWC), Department of Agriculture, of the technology and non availability of , Haryana whereas rainfall data vegetation on the bare hills. Due to moisture have been procured from Deputy Director content in river bed, grass and shrubs are General Office, India Meteorological found and resultant change easily recorded. Department, Northern Region, Chandigarh. Field survey was done in the study region Data related to mines revenue has been for validating the landuse classification in obtained from the Department of Mines October, 2012 and further related analysis and Geology, Haryana, Chandigarh. The and ground photographs were also taken. standard image-processing techniques The ArcGIS 9.3 and ERDAS IMAGINE have been employed in conjunction with 9.1 softwares have been used for database a temporal decision tree and track changes generation, integration of the spatial and through time. Hence, the spatial resolution non-spatial data for landuse/ land cover, of the satellite imageries restricts the source change detection and preparation the results. of information up to some extent. It is not The detailed methodological process for possible to demarcate individual mining analysis has been presented in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 | 221 Results and Discussions 2010. But the department refused to provide 1. Mining of Construction Material the data up to the year 2000 due to the absence of record. It provided data for only There has always been a competition to four aspects, i.e. number of stone crusher exploit the mineral deposits, mining of units, stone mining contracts, revenue from construction material and pumping of stone mining and sand extraction. The data groundwater. Material like stones, sand provided by mining authorities pertained and gravels are necessary for infrastructure to Mahendergarh district of which Narnaul but the various degrees of environmental community development block is a part. It deterioration caused by mining cannot be is to be noted that most of mining activities disregarded. To have the assessment of of Mahendergarh district are concentrated mining activities in study area the data in the Narnaul Block. Hence, the district related to the number of stone crusher units, figures are taken as indicators of status of number of stone and slate mining contracts, mining in the study area. Notably, a ban was number of sand extraction lease, area under imposed on mining activities in Haryana stone, slate and sand mining and revenue by Honorable Supreme Court of India in from these activities was requisitioned November, 2009, but it is surprising that under Right to Information Act, 2005, the Department of Mining and Geology has from Department of Mining and Geology, provided data for the year 2010 for above Haryana, Chandigarh, for the period 1975- mentioned four aspects of mining.

Fig. 3

222 | Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 It is revealed that in study area number during the field survey in October 2011 and of stone crushers units has increased more at that time there was blanket ban on mining than four times i.e. 14 to 62 stone crusher in Haryana. The curse of mining is evident units over the period 2000 to 2010 (Fig.3a). from Plate-IV as this region is already Further, there were 53 stone mining contracts devoid of vegetal cover and these extraction in 2001 which increased to 106 in 2002 and activities are continuously degrading the continued to be same till 2007 (Fig. 3b). In natural vegetation. 2010 these contracts were reduced to 22 because of the ban on mining industry by 2. Change in Landuse/ Land cover Supreme Court of India. Till 2006 revenue from stone mining activities was below Rs Landuse/ land cover changes are very 1.5 crores, however, after 2007 there was dynamic in nature and needs to be monitored sharp hike in revenue, i.e. more than Rs 12 at regular intervals. These changes are crores in 2008 (Fig. 3c). Even after the ban the direct and indirect consequences of on mining activities in 2009, the revenue of economic and cultural activities of human state government remained Rs 3.56 crores beings. A comparative picture of landuse/ which was about two and half times higher land cover pattern of Narnaul Block for than that of 2006. This hike in mining 1975 (based on classified LANDSAT 1 revenue is associated with the construction MSS image) and 2009 (LANDSAT 7 ETM+ boom in National Capital Region (NCR) image) has been presented in Fig. 4. The and particularly infrastructure development related statistics of area under mining and by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) change detection have been depicted in table and Commonwealth Games which fueled 1. As shown in Fig. 4 (See page 231) and the demand of construction material. Table 1, the sand and gravel extraction has Revenue from river sand extraction also bought about significant transformation in shows continuous increase till 2008 i.e. landuse/ land cover of study area during from Rs 23 lakh in 2000 to 310 lakh in the period 1975 to 2009. Recently, sand 2008 (Fig. 3d). Broadly speaking, the and gravel extraction and stone mining decision of Supreme Court of India to ban activities have also started showing their mining activities in Haryana had not been imprints in the study area. These activities implemented effectively. Even after orders were completely absent in the region in of highest court in India the number of 1975 while in 2009 about 1 percent area stone crushers increased to 62 in 2010. It was observed under sand extraction and has been increase in illegal mining during stone mining activities (Table. 1 and Plate-I). this period. It is evident from the Plates Though, the area under extraction activities (Plate-I to Plate-IV) (See page 232). Plate-I is very less but their indirect impacts on the shows the extensive river sand extraction in local ecology is much broader. Dohan River and an aerial view has taken The cultivated area has witnessed major from Google Earth. Plate-II and Plate-III changes in landuse indirectly because of show that active and mechanized sand and sand extraction and stone mining activities. stone mining activities are mushrooming in Cultivated area is progressively being the region. These photographs were taken converted either in open area or in residential

Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 | 223 area. Area under cultivation has experienced that sand and gravel extraction and stone reduction of 37.13 km2 from 1975 (172.36 mining activities are encroaching rapidly on km2) to 2009 (135.23 km2). On the other other land use categories in the study area. hand, the open area has notably increased by about 30.47 km2. In 1975, the open 3. Depletion of Groundwater Resources 2 area accounted for about 93.84 km (29.25 Aravalli ranges are the oldest land formation 2 percent) area which increased 124.31 km of the country and cover about 3.7 percent (38.75 percent) in 2009. The desertification area of Narnaul Block. There are various is more pronounced in highlighted red circle minerals mined from the Aravallis, which area of the block which is fertile alluvial include limestone, dolomite, iron ore, silica plain of Dohan River. It was agricultural land sand, china-clay, quartz and slate. But most in 1975 which was converted into open area of the mining activities in the study area probably due to scarcity of water resources pertain to extracting the minerals used as in the region in 2009. The expansion in area construction material. This includes road under settlements is also significant in the material and masonry stone boulder mined block which is more around Narnaul city from hills and ordinary sand and gravels because of being a district headquarter. In extracted from the channel of Dohan River 1975, the area under settlements was 2.10 (, 2006). The sand percent which increased to 6 percent by the and gravel extraction and stone mining st closer of first decade of 21 century. Sand activities in the study area have increased and gravel extraction and stone mining during last decade due to increasing demand activities have also started showing their of construction material in the surrounding imprints in the study area. There is also region. Large scale sand and stone mining significant change in area under scrubs. This in this area started during early 1980s which landuse category has lost its 5.64 sq km area resulted in damage to fragile ecology and between 1975 and 2009. The squeezing river groundwater resources. Fig. 5 presents the bed and receding hill slopes also indicate average depth of groundwater in Narnaul

Fig. 5

224 | Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 Block. The information reveals that the m to 20 m. But by 2009 entire Narnaul study area has experienced drastic decline Block had faced critical situation as far as in depth of ground water during both pre and groundwater availability is concerned. The post monsoon seasons. northwestern and central parts of the study The average depth of water table in area has experienced sharpest decline (65 to Narnaul Block has declined from 18.4 m 80 m) in ground water depth. The gradient in 1975 to 55.2 m in 2009. It indicates that of water table fall is steeper in northwestern the water table has declined with an average and southern parts of the study area (Fig. 6). rate of 1.05 m/year. The late 1970s and 1995 This is the area where both sand and stone to 1998 are exception to this when depth of mining activities are carried out intensively and illegally. The long-term ground water water table has risen due to exceptionally fluctuation (1975 to 2009) indicates that good monsoon rainfall. Overall, the area average ground water table declined by about under tube well irrigation has expended very 58 m in the study area (Fig. 7). fast since 1980s (Tejpal and Jaglan, 2013). The over withdrawal of ground water for For present study, some observatory various uses and intensive sand extraction wells are selected for which continuous water are largely responsible for sharp decline in level data are available from Groundwater depth of water table. Fig. 6 (See page 231) Cell, Panchkula. These are Khodma and depicts notable variations in depth of ground God villages (within 2 km distance of Dohan water before and after mining in the block. River channel), Narnaul city and Maroli The spatial pattern shows that the depth of village 5 km away from Dohan River bed ground water has declined from 10 m to 80 m (Fig. 1). The selection of these observatory across the region over a period of 35 years. In wells has been done for analysis of water 1975, almost entire area except northwestern table depth with the premises that the area region had water table at the depth of 10 near the river has more possibilities of

Fig. 7

Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 | 225 ground water recharge as compared to those in southwestern Haryana. The present study which are situated far away. The scenario reveals that the basin of small and seasonal of fluctuation in water table depth has been river Dohan draining in Narnaul Block depicted in Fig. 8. It shows that there is of Mahendergarh district of Haryana has constant decline in water table depth at all degraded significantly on account of sand places. The graphs for Khodma and God and stone mining over the past few decades. villages reveal that in these areas the depth The mining of sand and stone in the of water table has declined at the rate of study area has increased due to escalating 2.0 m/year and 1.3 m/year respectively and demand of construction material in the 2 the trend value of R explains more than 90 surrounding areas. Over the period 2000- percent variations. These observatory wells 2010 the number of stone crushers has are located in the areas that are severely increased by four times while stone mining affected by sand mining activities. Though contracts have doubled. Though, the area these wells are located very close to river under extraction activities is very small bed, most potential recharge zone of ground (about 1 percent) but the indirect ecological water still they exhibit sharp decline in water impact of these activities is much broader. table. The squeezing river bed and receding Compared to Khodma and God villages, hill slopes also indicate that extraction the trends of the graphs are at variance for activities are encroaching rapidly on other level of water table in tubewells located land use categories in the study area. in Narnaul city and Maroli village. They There is a considerable change in land indicate the 0.3 m and 0.6 m annual decline use/land cover signifying a shift from in ground water depth respectively (Fig. 8). agricultural to non-agricultural uses in the However, the extraction of ground water is study area. The cultivated area is shrinking more in Narnaul city due to higher demand because of scarcity of water resources in of drinking. the region which may be attributed to sand It has been observed that sand acts as extraction and stone mining activities. This a sponge which helps in recharging the is a prima facie indicator of the effect of water table and once this layer is removed, mining activities on groundwater recharge. the hydrodynamics of the riverbed gets In Dohan River basin the depletion of disturbed as sand takes several years for groundwater resources at a very fast rate is deposition. As sand is extracted rapidly a matter of great concern. It is evident that through mining (Plate-I, II and III), the the study area has experienced constant and riverbed loses its ability to hold water drastic decline in depth of ground water and this leads to reduction in groundwater during both pre and post monsoon seasons at recharge. all places. It has been found that in Narnaul Block the water table has declined at the rate 1.05 m/year. Over the period 1975 to Conclusions and Policy Recommendations 2009 the ground water table has declined Indiscriminate sand and stone mining for by about 58 m in the study area. The entire construction purpose over the years has done Narnaul Block faces critical situation as far irreparable damages to the local ecosystems as groundwater availability is concerned.

226 | Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 The wells located close to the sites of sand limit the extraction of sand and gravel mining in the river channel have experienced mining to meet the indigenous demand exceptionally sharp decline in water table as alone. The suitable sites for extraction of compare to other areas. This underlines the construction material may be identified role of extraction activities in depletion of to minimize the large ecological impacts ground water resources in the region. in the region. There is an urgent need to check and • Groundwater is a crucial source of regulate mining activities and associated irrigation for the farmers in Narnaul geo-environmental impacts in the region. Block to eke out the living since there is For this the district authorities have issued no other perennial source of irrigation in prohibitory orders/circulars after the the region. Since the aquifer recharge and intervention of Honorary Supreme Court depletion of groundwater in the region is of India. However, the orders have not linked to sand mining there is a need of been properly implemented. Keeping monitoring the sand extraction activities the above finding in view, following from the river bed in the region. Effort policy recommendations are suggested for should be made to increase ground minimizing the extent of geo-environmental water recharge efficiency through the impacts caused by mining in the region. rain water harvesting technologies and • The decision of Supreme Court of India the reclamation of abandoned mine pits to ban mining activities in Haryana which left after mining activities. had not been implemented effectively • People dependent upon such activities because of the fact that the enterprises seem to be least concerned about its are still thriving due to increasing environmental impact. Therefore, demand of construction material and awareness campaign should be carried lack of political will. However, a out at various levels among people about complete ban on mining may lead to the impacts of mining with immediate unaffordable price rise of construction need for control measures. material which may severely hurt infrastructure projects. Hence, there is References a need to evolve comprehensive policy to make these activities ecologically Apaydin, A., Taner. O., Kavakli, T. and Guner, tolerable. B. (1996): A striking example to negative effects of sand-gravel pits on environment; • There should be regular monitoring particularly on groundwaters: Murted Plain- of these activities and related Ankara. Geological Engineering Journal environmental damages. Mitigation of Chamber of Geological Engineering, progremmes against these damages Turkey, Vol. 50: 33-38. should be performed and regular Apaydm, A. (2012): Dual impact on the ground inspections should be carried out to water aquifer in the Kazan Plain (Ankara, keep these activities under control Turkey) sand gravel mining and over within ecological permissible limits. obstruction. Environment Earth Science, Department of Mines and Geology must Vol. 65: 241-255.

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Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 | 229 Welhan, J. (2001): Ground-water interactions Yadav, R.N. (2007): Impact of ground water near the highway pond gravel pit, Pocatello, depletion on socio-economic conditions in Idaho. Idaho Geological Survey, Moscow, South-West Haryana-A Case Study. Annals USSR, Staff Report 01-3: 12-19. of the National Association of Geographers, Yadav, K.P.S. (2002): Mine games: politicians India, Vol. 27(2): 44-49. conduct mining operations by proxy to play havoc with the environment in Haryana. Mr. Tejpal Down to Earth, November 15: 7-8. Assistent Professor, Department of Geography, Dyal Singh College, Karnal, Haryana Dr. M.S. Jaglan Professor, Department of Geography Dr. B.S. Chaudhary Professor, Department of Geophysics University, Kurukshetra, Haryana

230 | Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 Fig. 4 ( For text see page 223)

Fig. 6 ( For text see page 225)

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232 | Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 Fig. 4: Increase of monetary value of the NTFPs (Rs.) with increasing distance (km) from forest core (Based on Primary survey) ( For text see page 241).

Fig 5: Proportion of plant parts most widely used by the Santals for medicinal purposes (Based on Primary survey) ( For text see page 242).

Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014 | 233 Photograph 1a: Villagers carrying sal leaves for commercial purposes. ( For text see page 240)

Photograph 1b: Head-loading of firewood by Santal women at Jaypur forest. ( For text see page 240)

Photograph 1c: Santal women stitching Sal leaves for making Sia-pata. ( For text see page 240)

Photograph 1d: Santal women collecting green sal leaves. ( For text see page 240)

234 | Transactions | Vol. 36, No. 2, 2014