PREFACE

The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of , made Environmental Clearance (EC) for mining of minerals mandatory through its Notification of 27th January, 1994 under the provisions of Environment Protection Act, 1986. Keeping in view the experience gained in environmental clearance process over a period of one decade, the MoEF&CC came out with Environmental Impact Notification, SO 1533 (E), dated 14th September 2006. Now again Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), amended the notification S.O. 141(E) Dated 15th January, 2016 vide S.O. 3611(E) Dated 25th July, 2018 It has been made mandatory to obtain environmental clearance for different kinds of development projects as listed in Appendix-X of the Notification.

Further, in pursuance to the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court dated the 27th February, 2012 in I.A. No.12- 13 of 2011 in Special Leave Petition (C) No.19628-19629 of 2009, in the matter of Deepak Kumar etc. Vs. State of Haryana and Others etc., prior environmental clearance has now become mandatory for mining of minor minerals irrespective of the area of mining lease; And also in view of the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, order dated the 13th January, 2015 in the matter regarding sand mining has directed for making a policy on environmental clearance for mining leases in cluster for minor Minerals, The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in consultation with State governments has prepared Guidelines on Sustainable Sand Mining detailing the provisions on environmental clearance for cluster, creation of District Environment Impact Assessment Authority and proper monitoring of minor mineral mining using information technology and information technology enabled services to track the mined out material from source to destination.

The DEIAA and DEAC will scrutinize and recommend the prior environmental clearance of mining of minor minerals on the basis of District Survey Report. This will a model and guiding document which is a compendium of available mineral resources, geographical set up, environmental and ecological set up of the district and replenishment of minerals and is based on data of various departments, published reports, journals and websites. The District Survey Report will form the basis for application for environmental clearance, preparation of reports and appraisal of projects. The Report will be updated once every five years.

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OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the preparation of District Survey Report is to ensure the following –

Identification of mineral wealth in the district.

Identification of areas of Minor Mineral having the potential mineral where mining can be allowed. And

Identification of areas of proximity to infrastructural structures and installations where mining should be prohibited.

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Sl. No. Chapters Page No.

1 Introduction 4

2 Overview of Mining Activity in the District 6

3 General Profile of the District 8

4 Geology of the District 12

5 Drainage of Irrigation pattern 14

6 Land Utilization Pattern in the District : Forest, Agricultural, Horticulture, 16 Mining etc.;

7 Surface Water and Ground Water scenario of the district; 18

8 Rainfall of the district and climatic condition 22

9 Details of the mining leases in the District 23

10 Details of Royalty or Revenue received in last three years 24

11 Details of Production of Minor Minerals in last three years 25

12 Mineral Map of the District 26

13 List of letter of Intent (LOI) Holders in the District along with its validity 27

14 Total Mineral Reserve available in the District 28

15 Quality/ Grade of Mineral available in the district 29

16 Use of Mineral 30

17 Demand and supply of the Mineral in last three years 31

18 Mining Lease marked on the map of the district 32

19 Details of cluster of mining lease viz. number of mining lease location (Latitude 35 and longitude)

20 Eco Sensitive area in the district 36

21 Impact on the Environment (Air, Water, Noise, Soil, Flora & Fauna, Land use, 37 Agriculture, forest etc.) due to mining activity

22 Remedial measure to mitigate the impact of mining on the environment 40

23 Reclamation on mined out area in the district 42

24 Risk assessment and disaster management plan 43

25 Details of occupational health ( Last five year Data of number of patient of 47 Silicosis & Tuberculosis)

26 Plantation and Green Belt Development in respect of lease already granted 48

27 References 49

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1. INTRODUCTION

Historical Perspective:

Aurangabad district is one of the districts of Bihar, and Aurangabad town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Aurangabad district is a part of . It is situated on the . Aurangabad features in traditional records. The Saint Chyawan spent his life in this district, and gives his name to a product of the area, called Chyawanprash. According to Hindu mythology, a deity named a small town in the area Surya Devta. In modern times, the town's name is Deo, and is the location of a popular religious festival called Chhat puja

Location, Area and Administrative Details:

Aurangabad is one of the 38 districts in Bihar. It is one of the 5 districts of Magadh division. The head quarter of the district is Aurangabad. The district with a geographical area of 3389 Km2 between the longitudes of 840 00’- 840 45’ E and latitudes of 240 30’ -25 015’ N is located in the South Bihar Plains (SBP) and constitute a part of the marginal alluvial plains of Ganga Basin. The Sone River forms the western boundary of the district and at the southern boundary lays the Chhotanagpur Granitic Gneissic Complex (CGGC) of Jharkhnad state, which forms a part of the peninsular India. The district is bounded in the north and the east by the district and the respectively. The district has two sub-divisions namely Aurangabad and and 11 blocks, namely Madanpur, Kutumbba, Daudnagar, Aurangabad, Barun, Obra, Deo, , Haspura, Goh and . There is total 224 Gram Panchayats covering 1712 villages in the district.

Topography

The District can be divided into two regions namely hard core rock region and Jalodhak region. The district consists of flat alluvial plain. The northern portion of the district is mostly a plain formed an alluvial soil and is extremely fertile. In a few portion of Aurangabad, fertile alluvium is found. This is locally known as Kewal and is very suitable for paddy, and -cane. In the southwestern part of this district, below the hills, sandy loam is found. The only important and principal river of the district is the Sone which rises near the sources of Narbada and in the elevated plateau of Central India near . It treverses a course of 520 kilometres through a hilly tract until it enters the gangetic valley opposite Akbarpur in . It then passes Barun and Daudnagar and then leaves the district. The Sone receives no tributary of any importance from the point where it enters the district until it joins the . The river, as a matter of fact, does not enter the district and after passing Barun and Daudanagar, leaves the district. At Barun there is a massive masonry dam on the river Sone

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Connectivity

Aurangabad town is located in north east India on the national highway 02 (Grand Trunk Road) at its crossing with national highway 98. It’s nearest large town is 70 kilometers (43 miles) to the west. The capital of Bihar, is 140 kilometers (87 mi) to the north east.

Aurangabad is connected with NH-139 (Old NH-98) and NH-19 (Old NH-02) are the Major Highways Connects Aurangabad to Patna, Daltonganj, New and . is nearest airport aroung 85 Km in east direction and Lok Nayak Jayaprakash International Airport is around 140 km in north direction from Aurangabad.

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2. Overview of Mining Activity in the District

Topography

The District can be divided into two regions namely hard core rock region and Jalodhak region. The district consists of flat alluvial plain. The northern portion of the district is mostly a plain formed an alluvial soil and is extremely fertile. In a few portion of Aurangabad, fertile alluvium is found. This is locally known as Kewal and is very suitable for paddy, wheat and sugar-cane. In the southwestern part of this district, below the hills, sandy loam is found. The only important and principal river of the district is the Sone which rises near the sources of Narbada and Mahanadi in the elevated plateau of Central India near Maikal Hills. It traverses a course of 520 kilometers through a hilly tract until it enters the gangetic valley opposite Akbarpur in Rohtas district. It then passes Barun and Daudnagar and then leaves the district. The Sone receives no tributary of any importance from the point where it enters the district until it joins the Ganges. The river, as a matter of fact, does not enter the district and after passing Barun and Daudanagar, leaves the district. At Barun there is a massive masonry dam on the river Sone.

General Geology

The general geology of Aurangabad district is Stretches hard/crystalline rocks exists along the southern parts of the district covering the parts of Nabinagar, Deo, Kutumba, Rafiganj and Madanpur blocks. As far as rock types are concerned, in the western parts, a narrow stretch of Vindhyan rocks (sandstones and quartzite) exists, whereas in the central and eastern parts granitic (porphyritic) and gneissic rocks predominate. The remaining major part of the district is occupied by alluvium, which lies directly and unconformably over the basement rocks. The basement rocks dip northward. In the southern parts of the district the alluvial cover over the basement is thin ranging in thickness from few meters to few tens of meters, whereas in the northern and northwestern parts, the alluvial cover goes up to a depth of 100-150 m below ground. In the southern parts, basement is exposed as inliers in a linear fashion at many patches.

Availability of Mineral resources

The mineral resources of Aurangabad district playing massive role in industrial, social and economic development of the district.

Available mineral resources in the district

Sand

Sandstones Quartzite

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Image: Pachar hill in Rafiganj block of Auranagabd

Image: Sandhail hill in Madanpur block of Auranagabd

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3. General Profile of the District

Demographic profile

Sl. ITEMS Statistics No. 01 GENERAL INFORMATION i) Geographical area (Sq.km) 3389 ii) Administrative Divisions 2 Number of Tehsil/Block 11 Number of Panchyat 203 Villages 1884

iii) Population (As on 2011 Census): Rural 2303219 Urban 236854 Total 2540073 iv) Average Annual Rainfall (mm) 1106 02 GEOMORPHOLOGY Major physiographic units Quaternary alluvium, granite-

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gneiss Major Drainages river 03 LAND USE (sq.km ) a) Forest area: 111sq.km. b) Net area sown: 1393 sq. km c) Total Cropped area: 1393 sq.km 04 MAJOR SOIL TYPES Loam, silty loam, weathered residuum 05 IRRIGATION BY DIFFERENT SOURCES Area (ha) (Area in ha, Govt. of Bihar 2008-09) Dug wells and Tube wells 4759,28.55 sq.km &11715,117 sq km Canal 1150 sq .km Net irrigated area 1820 sq .km Gross irrigated area 1940 sq.km 06 PREDOMINANT GEOLOGICAL Quaternary Alluvium FORMATIONS HYDROGEOLOGY Major Water bearing formations Sand zones in quaternary Pre-monsoon Depth to water level during 2011 alluvium, weathered zones and fracture zones 2.22-12.23m bgl Post-monsoon Depth to water level during 2011 0.53-9.3m bgl Long term water level trend in 10 years (2002-2011) No significant decline in m/yr 07 GROUND WATER EXPLORATION BY CGWB (As on 31.03.2013) No. of wells drilled (EW, OW, PZ, SH = Total) 1 EW,2 OW Depth Range (m) 101-135 m bgl Discharge 30-40 m3/hr Storativity (S) 16-28.5

Transmissivity (m2/day) 0.0111m2/day 08 GROUND WATER QUALITY Presence of Chemical constituents more than Fresh and potable permissible limit (e.g., EC, F, As, F ) fluoride 09 DYNAMIC GROUND WATER RESOURCES (as on 31st March 2009) – in mcm Annual Replenishable Ground Water Resources 103150 ha.m Net Annual Ground Water Draft 21132 ha.m Projected Demand for Domestic and Industrial Uses 6464 ha.m upto 2025 Stage of Ground Water Development 23.2% 10 BRICK KILNS - Total no. of Brick Kilns 258 Source: Centre for Ground Water Board (CGWB)

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Topography

The District can be divided into two regions namely hard core rock region and Jalodhak region. The district consists of flat alluvial plain. The northern portion of the district is mostly a plain formed an alluvial soil and is extremely fertile. In a few portion of Aurangabad, fertile alluvium is found. This is locally known as Kewal and is very suitable for paddy, wheat and sugar-cane. In the southwestern part of this district, below the hills, sandy loam is found. The only important and principal river of the district is the Sone which rises near the sources of Narbada and Mahanadi in the elevated plateau of Central India near Maikal Hills. It treverses a course of 520 kilometres through a hilly tract until it enters the gangetic valley opposite Akbarpur in Rohtas district. It then passes Barun and Daudnagar and then leaves the district. The Sone receives no tributary of any importance from the point where it enters the district until it joins the Ganges.

Physiography

The southern hilly ranges and the northern Gangetic Plains form two physiographic units of the Aurangabad district. The southern hilly unit is undulating in character, occupied by high mountain ranges and low valleys covering parts of Kutumba, Nabinagar, Deo and Madanpur blocks. The constituting rocks of the hills dip northward and form the basement of the northern lying Gangetic Plain. At the transition parts from hard rock to alluvial plain, the hard rocks are exposed (linearly) at places as inliers. The northern alluvial plain slopes NNE.The maximum elevation is attained to heights of 411.48 m above mean sea level by the hills located south of Deo. The minimum elevation of ~80 m amsl runs at the northeastern parts around Goh.

Basin/Sub-Basin and Drainage

The Aurangabad district falls in the Sub-basin. The craton-origin Punpun River is a 3 rd. order stream, forming a souther tributary of the Ganga River. It forms the major drainage and the entire Aurangabad district falls in the watershed of the river. There are other drainages namely Batane, Batre, Adri, Ramrekha, Kasman, Madar, Dhawa etc, which merge with Punpun at different points within the district and the trunk river flows out of the district as a single thread. Major stretches of the river seem to follow the palaeochannels of Sone. The river in its northern stretches is highly incised and often braided. The northwestern peripheral part is drained by the river Sone, flowing from south-west to north-east. Though, the Sone and the Punpun bear little flow during non-monsoon periods, most of the other streams in the district remain almost dry during the same period.

Climate and Rainfall

A warm and humid climate embraces the area. 175 The summer (March–June) is hot with mean maximum temperature during June (peak summer) as 36.60C. A dry and cold winter (October to February) records mean minimum temperature as 9.20C in January. Humidity varies from 24.7% to 83.45% (Govt. of Bihar 1994). The districts in the SBP fall in the South Agro-Climatic Zones

DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT I STONE MINING I AURANGABAD I BIHAR Page 10 of Bihar and the annual rainfall in this area varies within 990-1300 mm. 88% of this rainfall comes during the southwest monsoon (June to September). The months July and August register peak rainfall in a year .The last decade rainfall distribution indicates alternate peaks and troughs in rainfall.

Land use, Agriculture and Irrigation Practices

The people of the district depend on agriculture for their livelihood and sustenance. and wheat are the staple crops. Besides, mustard, vegetables and dal are richly cultivated, specifically in the southern parts of the district. The northwestern parts of the district covering the blocks such as Barun, Obra, Daudnagar, Goh and Hanspura get East Sone Canal water for irrigation. Though, there is a culture of triple harvesting a year in the district, in many parts people fail to achieve this due to lack of irrigation facilities.

Forest & Wild Life

Aurangabad forest is divided into four regions. The forest mostly have dry dedicous trees i.e., tandu patta, khair, plantseeso, akesia, ambala and bair.

In past the area was well known for its wildlife games. However, in present times wildlife is not prominent in the tract. Jackal, hare, rats, monkeys and few reptiles are seen in this tract.

Soils

Three types of soil are mainly observed in the district:

a) Younger Alluvial soils,

b) Older Alluvial soils, and

c) Foot hill soils.

These soils have been formed as a narrow belt along the western periphery of the district following the Sone River. These are generally yellowish white to reddish yellow in colour, sandy to loamy sand in texture. Major parts of the district are occupied by the Older Alluvial soils. These soils are composed of very fine to fine sand and clay. These are gray to grayish yellow in colour and moderate to heavy in texture. They develop wide polygonal cracks during the dry season. Layers of calcium carbonate concretions are also common in some places. The foot hill soils occur at the southern parts of the district in the blocks of Kutumba, Deo, Madanpur and Rafiganj. These soils are mainly derived from the crystalline rocks. These soils form a very thin veneer over the bed-rocks. These are generally light textured, stony and gravelly, moderately acidic in nature. Most of these soils support the forests.

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4. Geology of the District

Geology

The general geology of Aurangabad district is Stretches hard/crystalline rocks exists along the southern parts of the district covering the parts of Nabinagar, Deo, Kutumba, Rafiganj and Madanpur blocks. As far as rock types are concerned, in the western parts, a narrow stretch of Vindhyan rocks (sandstones and quartzite) exists, whereas in the central and eastern parts granitic (porphyritic) and gneissic rocks predominate. The remaining major part of the district is occupied by alluvium, which lies directly and unconformably over the basement rocks. The basement rocks dip northward. In the southern parts of the district the alluvial cover over the basement is thin ranging in thickness from few meters to few tens of meters, whereas in the northern and northwestern parts, the alluvial cover goes up to a depth of 100-150 m below ground. In the southern parts, basement is exposed as inliers in a linear fashion at many patches.

The geology of the district can be divided as under –

GROUP FORMATION LITHOLOGY Quaternary-Alluvium Recent Fine to Coarse sand ,clay , silt Older Fine to Coarse sand,gravel,kankars, clay …………………………………… UNCONFOR ………………………………………… ……………….. MITY ………………. Pre- Cambrian Chhotanagpur Coarse grained,porphyritic, gray in granite gneiss-- colour - granite Granitic gneiss Grayish black to black in colour

Regional Geology

Geologically, it represents nearly two third of Bihar is under cover of Ganga basin composed of alluvium and masks the nature of basement rocks.

Geological succession and their occurrences distribution

Age Geology Occurrences

Quaternary Alluvial Deposits (sand, clay, silt, North Bihar Plain & Central Bihar Plain Fragments)

Tertiary Sand Stones& Clay Stones North Champaran Hills

Gondwana Coal Measures, Forming a series of small outlier basins

Vindhyans Sandstones, shales, Limestones Parts of Bahbhua and Rohtas Disricts

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etc.

Satpura Schist,Phyllite,Quartzite Part of Aurangabad, Gaya, , , and District

Proterozoic Schist, amphibolites, quartzite, Nawada, and Banka granites, dolerites and pegmatites

Archaean Gneisses, Part of Aurangabad ,Gaya, Nawada ,Jamui, Granites,Schists,Phyllites,quartzit Banka and es, amphibolites & intrusive all metamorphosed sedimentary and igneous rocks

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5. Drainage of Irrigation pattern

Drainage

The rivers of the district bring out the sediment as bed load and suspended load during the monsoon period and post monsoon when the carrying capacity of river decreases it deposit the sediment as braided deposit, point bars, etc. these are the main source of sand in the district.

Irrigation Pattern

Bestowed with fertile soil and having good irrigation facilities, about 80% area of the district is under agricultural use. The land level is plain and fertile land of total area available for cultivation, most of the area is used as double cropped area.

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Drainage system with description of main rivers

S. No. Name of the River/Drainage Area drained (Sq. % Area drained in the Km) District 1. Adri 1.18 0.0357

2. Amjhar 0.14 0.0042 3. Batane 5.71 0.1727 4. Batra 1.08 0.0326 5. Hulia 0.28 0.0084 6. Jharhi 0.49 0.0148 7. Keshar 1.18 0.0357 8. Madar 1.27 0.0384

9. Punpun 6.20 0.1875 10. 96.44 2.9180 TOTAL 113.97 3.448

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6. Land Utilization Pattern in the district

Forest

Aurangabad forest is divided into four regions. The forest mostly have dry dedicous trees i.e. tandu, patta, khair, plantseeso, akesia, ambala and bair.

In past the area was well known for its wildlife games. However, in present times wildlife is not prominent in the tract. Jackal, hare, rats, monkeys and few reptiles are seen in this tract.

Agriculture

With fertile soil and having good irrigation facilities, about 80% area of the district is under agricultural use. The land level is plain and fertile land of total area available for cultivation, most of the area is used as double cropped area. The people of the district depend on agriculture for their livelihood and sustenance. Rice and wheat are the staple crops. Besides, mustard, vegetables and dal are richly cultivated, specifically in the southern parts of the district. The northwestern parts of the district covering the blocks such as Barun, Obra, Daudnagar, Goh and Hanspura get East Sone Canal water for irrigation. Though, there is a culture of triple harvesting a year in the district.

Horticulture

Aurangabad district is under Low Level of Production in Horticultural Crops - The low level of horticultural development has found in the district.

These districts come under the periphery areas where there is a great lack of

infrastructure regarding

horticultural crops. Floriculture in the district is not developing in the same fashion as compared to other crops. So, there is need to emphasis on these crops. Horticulture cultivation is

always advantageous. It paves the ways and means of development. It has been observed that it

DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT I STONE MINING I AURANGABAD I BIHAR Page 16 could be developed in the state if the government provides protection and subsidies to the farmers. There is a great need to emphasis on marketing management and boosting the irrigation resource of the state along with that there is need of awareness on profitability and techno managerial skill among farmers to promote the horticultural cultivation in the state.

1 LAND USE (Sq.km) a) Forest area: NIL b) Net area sown: 1173.03 c) Total Cropped area: 1790.56 02 AREA UNDER PRINCIPAL CROPS IRRIGATION BY DIFFERENT SOURCES Area (ha) (Area in ha, Govt. of Bihar 2008-09) Dug wells and Tube wells 86000 Canal Net irrigated area 70000 Gross irrigated area

Mining

The mineral resources of Aurangabad district playing massive role in industrial, social and economic development of the district. Available mineral resources in the district

Sand

Sandstones Quartzite

Especially Sand mining activities is playing a significant role industrial, social and economic development of the district. The sand mining carried out throughout the district mainly in stretch of Sone River.

There are two stone mining site at Rafiganj and Madanpur block of the district. Stone Mining work at Sadhail in Madanpur block is operation while Pachar stone mining is non-operational.

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7. Surface Water and Ground Water scenario of the district

Ground water Scenerio

Water bearing Formations

Hydrogeological map of the Aurangabad district depicting various formations and their probable groundwater yield capability.light blue and yellow indicates alluvium. Light green is weathered zone and piedmont surface. Deep green is hard rocks.

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Unconsolidated Quaternary Alluvium, weathered zone and consolidated (fissured) formation-Granite gneiss form three hydrogeological units in the district. About 95% of the geographical area of the Aurangabad district is covered with Quaternary Gangetic alluvial deposits. The groundwater occurs under unconfined conditions in the shallow aquifer whereas in the deeper aquifers it occurs under confined conditions. The shallow tube wells in the depth 3 range of 30-50 m are capable of yielding 15-20 m /hr discharges, whereas, the deeper aquifers 3 are capable of yielding 50-100 m /hr. The thickness of the weathered zone ranges from 5 m to 30 m. Ground water occurs under unconfined condition within the weathered mantle. Joints, cracks, fractures and other types of secondary porosity control the occurrence and movement of groundwater. The discharge and yield of the wells varies from place to place due to in- homogeneity of the fractures. The results of the exploratory drilling carried out by the Central Ground Water Board at Deo in the hard rock area indicate presence of 2 to 3 sets of productive fractures down to a depth of 135 m (33-35 m, 68-70 m & 79-80 m depth ranges). The yield from the wells varied between 30-40 m3/hr. The transmissivity of the fracture zones varied between 16- 28.5 m2/day, whereas, the

storativity was estimated at 0.0111 indicating unconfined character of the aquifer.

a) Depth of water level map of pre- and

The hydrogeological transects b) post-monsoon periods for Aurangabad district in indicate the existence of prolific SBP. The map displays the auto flow condition in the aquifers in the northern and district at its southwestern corner. northwestern parts of the district thick deposits of sand of size varying between fine to coarse in the areas. The lithology becomes more clayey towards south. The central and southwestern parts of the district are

DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT I STONE MINING I AURANGABAD I BIHAR Page 19 clayey in character with infrequent minor sand Sone River has played an important role in building the stratigraphic succession in the Aurangabad district.

The pre-monsoon depth to water level (DTW) map depicts the variation of water level within the range of <1.0 and 12.23 m below ground level (m bgl). The deeper water levels (>8 m bgl) are observed in the areas close to Sone River and at the down reaches of Punpun River at the western and northeastern parts respectively, whereas the shallow water levels (<6 m bgl) are observed at the northern and southern of the district. The post-monsoon depth to water level records auto flow- wells at the southwestern corner of the district with piezometric level resting at a maximum of 1.50 m above ground level (- 1.5 m in the map). The DTW map of the season depicts the variation of water level within -1.50 m agl to and 10.40 m bgl. Seasonal water level fluctuation (rise in water level) remains within 0.84-5.93 m.

Ground Water Quality

The general range of various chemical constituents in standard drinking water is given in the following table below:

Table: Ground water quality parameters and their BIS norms.

Chemical constituents (mg/l) Drinking Water Standard (As per BIS norms)

Highest Desirable Maximum Permissible pH 6.5 – 8.5 No relaxation

E.C (Micro-siemens/cm at 500 2000 250C) Total Hardness (CaCO3) 300 600

Bicarbonate 200 600

Calcium 75 200

Magnesium 30 100

Chloride 250 1000

Sulphate 200 Up to 400 if Mg is <30

Nitrate 45 100

Sodium - -

Potasium 1.90 - 50 -

Sources: www.cgwb.gov.in/District_Profile/Bihar/Aurangabd.pdf

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Except few patches, the groundwater in the shallow aquifer in major parts of the district is fresh and potable with all the major parameters of quality falling well within the permissible limit (Table 6). Electrical conductivity (EC) of groundwater has been observed beyond 2000 ms/cm at locations such as Pritampur and Rishiap falling in the block of Deo and Aurangabad. Fluoride levels greater than the permissible limits of 1.5 mg/L are observed in the blocks of Madanpur, Deo and Nabinagar blocks.

Ground Water Resources

Aurangabad district possesses a total of 91046 ham as the annual replenish-able groundwater st resource (As on 31 March 2009). The average stage of groundwater development is only 23.2 % (Table 7). Though, the groundwater level in majority blocks register declining trend, it is still not alarming and significant. As such, all the blocks in the district are safe from groundwater development point of view and thus the district possesses a huge potential for developing the resource.

Ground Water Development

2 As per MI census 2001, a total of 11715 shallow tube wells (~ 3 STWs per km ) were operating in the district. Most of the STWs in the district are constructed within the depth 3 range of 30-50 m. These wells can sustain the discharge of a 5 HP pump of about 20 m /hr discharge. The granular zones tapped trough deep tube wells within the depth of 100 m in the 3 northern parts of the district can yield up to 150 m /day.

Water Conservation and Artificial recharge

In order to keep the water flowing in the rivers in the district, it is important to maintain the groundwater level at shallow depth. Artificial recharge is the technique through which, surface water/run-off is facilitated in in-filtering to sub-surface formations through artificially changing the natural conditions. Proper maintenance of Ahar and Pynes helps in recharge to groundwater also. The areas, where the long term (at least 10 years) average post-monsoon water level remains deeper (generally > 3.0 m bgl), can be taken for artificial recharge to groundwater. However, the areas close to Sone, which show mostly the deepest water levels, are not suitable for the recharge.

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8. Rainfall of the district and Climate condition

Rainfall and climate condition

A warm and humid climate embraces the area. 175 The summer (March–June) is hot with 0 mean maximum temperature during June (peak summer) as 36.6 C. A dry and cold winter 0 (October to February) records mean minimum temperature as 9.2 C in January. Humidity varies from 24.7% to 83.45%. The districts in the SBP fall in the South Agro-Climatic Zones of Bihar and the annual rainfall in this area varies within 990-1300 mm. 88% of this rainfall comes during the southwest monsoon (June to September). The months July and August register peak rainfall in a year (Fig. A). The last decade rainfall distribution indicates alternate peaks and troughs in rainfall (Fig. B).

(A) Average monthly rainfall in mm for Aurangabad district.

(B) Trend in annual rainfall distribution observed during last 10 years (2000-2011) in the district.

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9. Details of the mining Lease in the district

Details of mining lease in the district as per the following format-

Sl. Name Name of the Address and Mining Area of Period of mining lease Period of No. of the lessee Contact No. Lease Mining Mining (Initial) Miner of lessee Grant Lease Lease al order (hec.) (1st/2nd no. and renual

date From To From To 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 Stone Banshidhar Patila, Maner, 329 / 13.32 04.04.2016 03.03.2020 Not Construction Patna- 801108 application 13.08.20 Pvt. Ltd. Mo- 15 9334316393, 9661120177 2 Stone K.P.S. 536, Magah 330/ 12.97 Nil Nil Not Stucture Colony, Road 13.08.20 aaplicable Makers Pvt. No.- 06, Gaya, 15 Ltd. Bihar- 823001 Mo- 9934408870

Date of Status Captive/ Obtained Location of Method of commencement (Working/ Non- captive Environmental Mining Lease Mining of mining Non- Clearance (Latitute and (Opencast/ operation Working/ (Yes/No), if yes Longitude) Underground) temp. Letter No. Working for with date of dispatch etc.) grant of EC

11 12 13 14 15 16

04.04.2016 Working Non- Captive 312/04.03.2016 24°39’29.33”N Opencast 84°32’22.83”E

Nil Non-Working Captive Nil 24°47’07.17”N Nil 84°39’01.61”E Source: District Mining Office, Aurangabad (Department of Mines & Geology, Govt. of Bihar)

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10. Details of Royalty or Revenue received in Last three years

Details of Royalty or Revenue received from Minor minerals in last three years

Sl. No. Financial Year Stone Mineral All Minor Mineral (Rs. In Lakh) (Rs. In Lakh)

1 2015-16 959.15 7298.90

2 2016-17 430.20 8824.70

3 2017-18 430.20 9849.17

Total 1819.55 25972.77

Source: District Mining Office, Aurangabad (Department of Mines & Geology, Govt. of Bihar)

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11. Details of production of Minor mineral in last three years

Production of stone minerals in last three years

Sl. No. Financial Year Production of Stone Mineral (In cft.)

1 2015-16 NIL

2 2016-17 2994015.00

3 2017-18 3156263.45

Total 6150278.45 Source: District Mining Office, Aurangabad (Department of Mines & Geology, Govt. of Bihar)

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12. Mineral Map of the district

Mineral map is not available separately. Mineral map of Bihar is as below-

SOURCE: BRAND BIHAR.COM

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13. List of Letter of Intent (LOI) Holder in the district along with its validity

Sl. Name Name of the Address and Letter of Area of Validity Use Location of the No. of the lessee contact no. of the Intent grant Mining of LoI (Captive/ Mining Lease Mineral Intent Holder Order No. lease to Non- (Latitude & & Date be alloted Captive) Longitude)

1 stone Banshidhar Patila, Maner, 329 / 13.32 5 Year Non- 24°39’29.33” Construction Patna- 801108 Captive 84°32’22.83” 13.08.2015 Pvt. Ltd. Mo- 9334316393, 9661120177

12.97 24°47’07.17”N 2 stone K.P.S. 536, Magah 330/ 5 Year Captive Stucture Colony, Road 13.08.2015 84°39’01.61”E Makers Pvt. No.- 06, Gaya, Ltd. Bihar- 823001 Mo- 9934408870

Source: District Mining Office, Aurangabad (Department of Mines & Geology, Govt. of Bihar)

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14. Total Mineral Reserve in the district

Method of estimation of reserve

The estimation of stone reserve is made by conventional parallel cross section method using geological cross section. The geological cross section are prepared across the strike of the mineral. The area of individual litho unit in each and every cross section is calculated separately. The volume between the cross section is arrived on the basis of average area of parallel cross section and multiplying sectional interval. And tonnage is arrived at by multiplying by bulk density.

Note: Following are the parameter considered for reserve estimation:

i. Reserve is calculated ii. Bulk density of stone and associate minor mineral is taken as 2.5 Ton/M3.

Geological and Minable reserve

Sl. Location Total area of Geological Average Total Geological No. Geological Reserve Influence Volume Mineral Reserve (in sq. m.) Length (cum) Reserve (in Acre) (m) (MT)

1. Pachar, Rafiganj 80 Acre/ 323700 65 21040500 5,26,01,250 Aurangabad 32.37 Hectares 2. Sandhail, 38.6 Acre/ 156200 30 4686000 1,17,15,000 Madanpur 15.62 Aurangabad Hectares Total 97 Acre 479900 47.5 25726500 6,43,16,250

Summary of estimated reserve

Sl. No. Category Mineral Reserve 1. Geological reserve 6,43,16,250 MT 2. Minable Reserve (80 % of total geological 5,14,53,000 MT reserve) 3. Block Reserve 1,28,63,250 MT

Note: Geological reserve =Minable Reserve + Block reserve

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15. Quality/ Grade of Mineral available in the district

Quality of Sand Stone available in the district is of intermediate. Rock has inter grown quartz grains, thus is massive and hard. Protolith is sandstone. Intermediate to high grade metamorphism. The mineral can be used as boulders of different sizes for dam construction, embankment works etc. After crushing into different sizes it can be used in construction and road projects.

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16. Use of Mineral

ROM will be used for construction of buildings & making of road. Stone can be used in different form of different construction jobs and road projects. Stone, mined out from the mine, can be directly used as boulders of different sizes for dam construction, embankment works etc. After crushing into different sizes of aggregates, ranging from 6mm to 63mm, the product can be used in construction and road projects.

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17. Demand & Supply of the mineral in last three years

Demand and supply of the stone mineral in last three years are as tabled blow-

Sl. No. Year Demand of mineral Supply of the mineral

1. 2015 - -

2. 2016 1050000 MTPA (210 Lakh CFT) 1062140 - CFT

3. 2017 1050000 MTPA (210 Lakh CFT) 1922275 – CFT

*This financial year taken as Jan-Dec

Source: District Mining Office, Aurangabad (Department of Mines & Geology, Govt. of Bihar)

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18. Mining Lease marked on the map of the district

Mining lease in the district is as marked on district Map-

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Stone mines lease at Muaza- Pachar, Rafiganj Aurangabad

S.no. Name of Settle Name of Stone GPS coordinates Area (In Production Mines lease (Latitude & Longitude) Acres.) Capacity

1 M/S K.P.S. Maurza-Pachar , A 24°47’07.17”N 12.97 1120000 Structure Pvt. Anchal- 84°39’01.61”E TPA Ltd. Rafiganj, district B 24°47’04.47”N 84°39’01.58”E H. No. 536, Aurangabad ° C 24 47’04.67”N Road No. 06, Bihar 84°39’24.13”E ° Magadh D 24 47’07.37”N

Colony, Gaya - 84°39’24.17”E 823001

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Stone Mines lease at Muaza- Sadhail, Madanpur, Aurangabad

S.no. Name of Settle Name of Stone GPS coordinates Area (In Production Mines lease (Latitude & Acres.) Capacity Longitude)

1 M/s Banshidhar Mauza- Sadhail, A 24°39'29.91"N 13.32 1155000 Construction Pvt. Anchal- Madanpur 84°32'13.78"E TPA Ltd District- Aurangabad Bihar B 24°39'29.33"N 84°32'16.96"E

C 24°39'48.97"N 84°32'20.04"E

D 24°39'48.41"N 84°32'22.83"E

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19. Details of cluster of mining lease viz. number of mining lease location (Lat. and long.)

There is no cluster of Mining lease in Aurangabad district of Bihar. There are two stone mining site are available one in Rafiganj block and another is Madanpur block of district. Both the lease is separately in single block.

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20. Eco-Sensitive area in the district

The Tract:

The Aurangabad Forest Division came into existence in 2003 vide Environment and Forests department, notification no. 3688 dated 22.10.2003 comprising the Aurangabad and Arwal Districts with the objective of protection of natural resources and increasing green cover through afforestation on government wastelands, road, river and canal sides and non-productive private lands

The Area:

The total geographical area of the two districts is 3305 ha of Aurangabad District and 626 ha of . The total forest area of the Aurangabad Forest Division is 187.60 ha limited to Aurangabad District only, there being no forests in Arwal district. The total forest area of the Division is protected forest, amounting to 5.60% of the total geographical area of the district.

Forest:

The forests in Aurangabad Forest Division correspond to the ‘Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests’ as per Champion and Seth’s classification of forests. Within this type, local variations are met with, due to variations in nature of soil and topography. Better stocked patches occur in cooler and protected areas on the south-west corner of the district adjoining the forests of Gaya Forest Division and Daltonganj Forest Division of State. But these patches are also under heavy biotic pressure.

Wildlife:

In past the area was well known for its wildlife games. However, in present times wildlife is not prominent in the tract. Jackal, hare, rats, monkeys and few reptiles are seen in this tract and no eco-sensitive zone exists in Aurangabad district of Bihar.

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21. Impact on the Environment due to mining activity

Impact on Environment due to mining activities varies based on the quantum of production rate proposed. The different activities involved before & during mining are narrated below, which helps to assess the impact on environment.

Population growth, economic development and environmental degradation are interlinked with each-other. The high growth in population speeds-up economic activities. Meanwhile, it also deteriorates environment as for the high level of economic development, plenty of natural resources are exploited. Similarly, mining activities have considerable impacts on environment. The most important environmental problems from the mining activities are mercury pollution, cyanide pollution, direct dumping of tailing and affluent into river. These environmental problems from mining activities are the global phenomena. It does not only degrade the land and forest areas but also, it affects the air, water and health qualities. Faunal and floral depletion, due to mining activities, is also enormous.

Land degradation is one of the significant impacts arising out of mining and quarrying activity which is mainly in the form of alternation of land structure due to excavation, stacking of top soil and loss of land due to dumping of mine waste and overburden soil. Stone and sand quarrying causes damage to property, depletion of ground water, loss of fertile top soil, degradation of forest land, adverse effect on the biodiversity and public health.

Mining and quarrying, either open cast or underground, destroys landscape and forest ecosystems. The waste materials that remain after the extraction of usable ores are dumped on the surrounding land, thus causing loss of top soil, nutrients and supportive micro flora and vegetation.

Air pollution, due to dust from the mines, is a common environmental problem in mines and quarries especially open cast operations. Stone Mining activities are normally associated with different types of pollution. Air pollution is regarded as the most notable one, where particulate matter (dust) are generated and found in the surrounding areas of such activities. Particles with aerodynamic diameters of less than 50µm (termed Total Suspended Particulate matter, or TSP) can become suspended in the atmosphere, and those with aerodynamic diameters of less than 10µm termed PM10 (inhalable particles) can be transported over long distances, and enter the human respiratory system.

Noise pollution is associated with many types of equipment used in mining operations, but blasting is considered the major source. Loud sound disturbed the vegetable nearby the area. It also affect stability of infrastructures, buildings, and homes of people living near to these working sites. In this regard, noise pollution may include noise from vehicle engines, loading and unloading of rock into steel dumpers, chutes, power generation, and other sources.

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Mining operations impact the environment in several ways, and water pollution is a major concern in such operations. For instance quarry dust can change the chemistry of water resources by dissolving in them, it can also settle in water bodies and cause pollution. Furthermore, these operations disrupt the existing movement of surface water and groundwater; they interrupt natural water recharge and can lead to reduced quantity and quality of drinking water for residents and wildlife near or downstream from a quarry site.

The pollution potential of the proposed project, it is possible impacts on the surrounding environment during pre-operational and operational phases and the necessary management actions proposed for control and abatement of pollution are furnished hereunder.

Impact on the some component of the environment are as below-

Air Environment

Although mining does not cause any direct change in air environment, transportation etc. In stone mining operations, the source of air pollution may cause deterioration of air quality due to the fugitive dust emission during blasting, scooping, loading-unloading operations and transportation. Loading and unloading of mineral would be associated with the fugitive emission in the active area whereas fugitive emission during transportation would affect the areas/villages situated adjacent to road side. Another source of air pollution would be emission from the trucks/tractor/other vehicles to be used for transportation of soil.

Water Environment

As far as impact on surface water is concerned, during mining and transportation, there are chances of contamination of surface water resources (pond, well etc.) with dust or by other means. The labourers working in stone mining come from neighboring districts and colonise in the surrounding areas with inadequate facilities for waste disposal. This, in due course, leads to disposal of various things into surface water bodies which in due course of time results into surface water contamination through misuse / mismanagement and decomposition of the trash.

Land Environment

There shall be no major impacts of stone mining on land due to rocky terrain having no soil cover generation of top soil shall be nil.

Other impacts on land include Disposal of packing material, carried by the workers. This packing material would include used sachet/gutka/pan masala pouches. Polythene bag used by the workers to bring their foods etc.

Noise Environment

As far as noise pollution is concerned, blasting is considered the major source of noise pollution. The Machinery used in mining of stone mineral create sound and vibrates. As well as vehicles used for transport, loading-unloading of mineral etc. put impact on noise environment. Noise

DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT I STONE MINING I AURANGABAD I BIHAR Page 38 level in the working environment should be compared with the standards prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board which has been adopted and enforced by the Govt. of India through The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

Flora and Fauna

The mining is a destructive activity generated by human being for providing strength and security to his living standard. The mining in the concerned zones provides raw materials in the form of crusher, gravels and stones, etc. for construction of roads, railway lines and other infrastructures. From the last few years the mining rate has increased several times. It results in the loss of biodiversity of both flora and fauna and physiographic features of the concerned region.

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22. Remedial measure to mitigate the impact of mining on the environment

Air Environment

Mitigation Measures

For Fugitive Dust Emission:

• All trucks should be covered by tarpaulin sheet to prevent dust emission.

• Water spraying should be there in haul road, crusher and mining area.

• Wet drilling should be preferred

• Sharp drill rods should be used to reduce dust generation

• Dust extractor should be used to reduce dust generation

For Vehicular Emission

• Overloading of trucks and trolleys should be prevented.

• Vehicular emission can pose serious health hazard. During the earth mining extraction, tractor/truck should be used for transportation. Tractor/truck comprises of diesel engine

produce particles are dangerously fine of PM10 & PM2.5. It is well known fact that combustion of diesel generates small particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.

• Ultra low sulphur diesel should be used in vehicle. CPCB prescribed emission Standards for the vehicle would be followed. • Monitoring of dust fall at land located nearby the mining area

Water environment

Mitigation measures

• Safeguards will be adopted against health risks on account of breeding of vectors in the water bodies created due to excavation.

• Labourers should not be allowed to through trashes in water bodies.

• Utmost care should be taken to minimize or control oil spills or leakage from vehicles used for soil transportation.

• Water Quality Monitoring for the, ground water should be carried out seasonally to ensure that the water quality is not affected by the project activities.

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• The contractor should adhere all guidelines and rules for proper and scientific method of mining during the period of extracting of minerals that the project activities should not have any adverse effect on the physical components of the environment including recharge of ground waters or water quality.

Land environment

Mitigation measures

• No foreign material like polythene bag, jute bag and useless articles should not be allowed to remain/spill on the land, or no pits/pockets should be allowed to be filled with such material.

• Mining should not exceeds beyond the agreed extraction depth.

• Development of thick plantation around mine lease area

Noise environment

Mitigation measures

• Well maintained vehicles should be used in order to reduce the noise during movement of vehicles. • Regular and proper maintenance of transportation vehicles (trucks, tractor etc.) should be ensured. • Proper and timely maintenance of machineries. .

• Major noise generating Equipments like DG set shall be housed.

Flora and Fauna

Mitigation measures

• Sediment and erosion control by planting native trees and shrubs to stabilize degraded farming land;

• Regular monitoring of plants and animals on site;

• Salvaging and reusing materials where practical;

• Establishing and maintaining habitat corridors;

• Controlling access to the site to protect habitats.

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23. Reclamation on mined out area in the district

There is no mined out area in Aurangabad district of Bihar, but stone mineral in Madanpr block of district a mining block at Sandhail where mining activity is undergoing. Once the deposit will be mined out then only the question of land reclamation will come. It is proposed that after the completion of quarrying operation the excavated area should be converted into water logging and will be utilized for irrigation and pisciculture purpose or green belt zone.

When active mining ceases, mine facilities and the site are reclaimed and closed. The goal of mine site reclamation and closure should always be to return the site to a condition that most resembles the pre-mining condition. Mines that are notorious for their immense impact on the environment often made impacts only during the closure phase, when active mining operations ceased. These impacts can persist for decades and even centuries. Therefore, the EIA for every proposed mining project should must include a detailed discussion of the mine Reclamation and Closure Plan offered by the mining proponent. Mine reclamation and closure plans must describe in sufficient detail how the mining company will restore the site to a condition that most resembles pre-mining environmental quality; how it will prevent – in perpetuity – the release of toxic contaminants from various mine facilities (such as abandoned open pits and tailings impoundments); and how funds will be set aside to insure that the costs of reclamation and closure should be paid for.

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24. Risk assessment and disaster management plan

The multi-disaster prone state of Bihar requires a multi-disciplinary approach to deal with these disasters requiring participation of various stakeholders. It requires a continuous and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing measures that are necessary for risk prevention, mitigation of risk impacts, preparing to face the disaster event, response, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Some of the prominent disasters and their impacts are –

Flood:

Bihar’s topography is marked by a number of perennial and non-perennial rivers of which, those originating from Nepal are known to carry high sediment loads that are then deposited on the plains of Bihar. A majority of the rainfall in this region is concentrated in the 3 months of monsoon during which the flow of rivers increases up to 50 times causing floods in Bihar. According to the Bihar Government’s Flood Management Information Systems Cell, floods of Bihar can be divided into 4 categories namely:

Class I: Flash floods– floods occurring due to rainfall in Nepal, lead time is short (8 hours), receding of flood waters is fast;

Class II: River floods– lead time 24 hours, receding of flood waters is 1 week or more;

Class III: Drainage congestion in river confluence- lead time more than 24 hours, lasting full monsoon season (i.e. receding of flood water takes 3 months).

Class IV: Permanent water logged area.

As such, 73.63% of the geographical area of North Bihar is considered to be prone to floods. Out of 38 districts, 28 districts get flooded (of which 15 districts are worst affected) causing huge loss of property, lives, farmlands and infrastructure. During the 2008 Kosi floods, over 350,000 acres of paddy, 18,000 acres of maize and 240,000 acres of other crops were adversely affected, impacting close to 500,000 farmers.

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Flood Zone in Bihar

Source: Bihar State Disaster Management Authority http://bsdma.org/Know-Your-Risk.aspx?id=3

Drought

In the absence of adequate rainfall, most part of south Bihar including Aurangabad district north Bihar which faces drought situations. South and South West Bihar are more vulnerable and often experiences severe drought situations. Districts of Munger, Nawada, Rohtas, Bhojpur, Aurangabad and Gaya are the known drought prone areas of the state.

Earthquake

Bihar is located in the high seismic zone that falls on the boundary of the tectonic plate joining the Himalayan tectonic plate near the Bihar-Nepal Border and has six sub-surface fault lines moving towards the Gangetic planes in four directions. Of the 38 districts of Bihar, 8 districts fall in seismic zone V of which 2 districts (Madhubani and Supaul) fall entirely in seismic zone V while 24 districts fall in seismic zone IV and 6 districts in seismic zone III with most districts falling under multiple seismic zones (i.e. either seismic zone V & IV or seismic zone IV & III).

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The new and growing urban centers in the state where building codes and control mechanisms are not enforced, earthquake remains a major threat to cities. This could result in social infrastructures such as schools and hospitals that are not built to be earthquake resistant could lead to serve damage and loss of lives as well.

Earthquake Zone in Bihar

Source: Bihar State Disaster Management Authority http://bsdma.org/Know-Your-Risk.aspx?id=3

Other Hazards:-

Apart from the above hazards, the state is also prone to cold and heat waves, Cyclonic storms (high speed winds) and other human-induced hazards like fire, epidemics, road / boat accidents, stampedes etc. Incidences of fire are mainly local in nature but have a severe impact on villages. Since a majority of Kucha houses have thatch roofs and wooden structures, in the summer months when winds are high, fires from the traditional stoves spread to damage entire villages.

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Multi hazards Zone in Bihar

Source: Bihar State Disaster Management Authority http://bsdma.org/Know-Your-Risk.aspx?id=3

Mine disaster

Thousands of miners die each year around the globe due to mining accidents, especially from underground coal mining, although hard rock mining is not immune from accidents. Underground mining has considerably less impact than opencast mining on land, it causes enough damage through subsidence. Apart from this, explosive natural gases, especially firedamp, dust explosions, collapsing of mine stones, mining-induced seismicity, flooding, or general mechanical errors from improperly used or malfunctioning mining equipment and improper explosives underground can also cause to catastrophe.

The study found there is no such incident happened in past in Aurangabad district of Bihar.

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25. Details of occupational health

(Last five year Data of number of patient of Silicosis & Tuberculosis)

Health Hazards in Mining

Some are the major health Hazards in mining as below-

Physical Hazards

Traumatic injury remains a significant problem and ranges from the trivial to the fatal. Common causes of fatal injury include rock fall, fires, explosions, mobile equipment accidents, falls from height, entrapment and electrocution. Less common but recognized causes of fatal injury include flooding of underground workings, wet-fill release from collapsed bulkheads and air blast from block caving failure. The systematic application of risk management techniques has contributed to a substantial decline in injury frequency rates in developed nations. Further improvement, however, is required to reach rates tolerable to the broader community. Noise is almost ubiquitous in mining. It is generated by drilling, blasting, cutting, materials handling, ventilation, crushing, conveying and ore processing.

Chemical hazards

Crystalline silica has long been a serious hazard in mining, with the risk of silicosis. Silicosis has been subject to considerable investigation. Axial water-fed rock drills, wet techniques, ventilation, enclosed cabins and respiratory protection facility largely control silicosis. Silicosis is a big problem in India and silico-tuberculosis is important in Africa, where the high prevalence of HIV infection among miners increases the risk.

Biological hazards

The risk of tropical diseases such as malaria and dengue fever is substantial at some remote mining locations. Leptospirosis and ankylostomiasis were common in mines, but eradication of rats and improved sanitation can control these hazards effectively. Regular microbiological analysis of the water is necessary to detect Legionella contamination or high concentrations of other heterotrophic microorganisms

Last five year data of number of patient of Silicosis & Tuberculosis

There is only one stone mining location in the district i.e. Sandhail mauza in Madanpur block of Aurangabad district where mining in undergoing. Mining operation started two years ago here and during the study no such patient of Silicosis & Tuberculosis reported. While mining at another site of mauza-Pachar in Rafiganj block is yet to be started.

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26. Plantation and Green Belt Development in respect of lease already granted

Green Belt Development

The basic approach towards the development of Green belt /plantation in the lease area is with a view to provide an aesthetic look, eliminating fugitive emissions and for controlling the impact of noise, etc.

Green Belt will be developed based on the following principles:

Plants that grow fast should be preferred

Preference for high canopy covers plants with local varieties Perennial and evergreen plants should be preferred Plants having a high Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) should be preferred

The development of green belt is an important aspect for any project because

It improves the ambient air quality by controlling Suspended Particulate Matter in air It helps in noise attenuation for the surrounding area It helps in attracting new birds and insects as their habitation It maintains the ecological balance It increases the aesthetic value of site.

Greenbelt Development & Plantation Programme

Plantation should be developed at 2 M x 2 M spacing, the rate of survival should be aimed at 80% by regular watering & fencing to keep plants safe from animal grazing. Local species will be planted in consultation with local horticulturist. Diseased plants should be replaced by planting new saplings.

Plantation and Green Belt Development in respect of lease already granted

There are two mining location existing in Aurangabad district of Bihar. Green Belt Development details are as below-

1. Project area lies between 24°47’08.07” N 84°38’55.98”E to 24°47’03.44” N 84°39’18.74”E. This hill area is known as Pachar hill, named after local village Pachar in Rafiganj block of Aurangabad district. Mining operation at the site is yet to started, hence there is no addition green belt except natural vegetation found here.

2. Project site Sadhail hill, named after local village lies between 24°39’23.49” N

84°37’57.44”E to 24°41’ 26.13”N 84°40’09.49”E in Sadhail mauza of Madanpur block in Aurangabad district of Bihar. The

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lessee is developing green belt along the mining location and more than 450 survived plants found during the study.

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