River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu In

River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

S.No Particulars Details 1 Name of Project River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhiyakode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river, tributary of Kallada river. 2 Project Proponent Sri. MOHANAN PILLAI, IFS., Divisional Forest Officer, Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala. 3 Village Kulathupuzha 4 Taluk Punalur 5 District Kollam 6 State Kerala

7 Co-ordinates Latitude N 08o 50’ 56.71”

Longitude E77o 02’ 50.01”

North East N 08o 50’ 56.71” E77o 02’ 50.01” South East N 08o 50’ 54.91” E77o 02’ 54.31” North West N 08o 50’ 56.15” E77o 02’ 49.86” South West N 08o 50’ 54.42” E77o 02’ 54.08” 8 Topography River Bed 9 Topo Sheet No 58 C/8 10 Elevation 138-139.10 m above MSL 11 Mining Lease Area 0.60 Ha 12 Production capacity 12890 M3 per Annum 13 Extent of mechanization Opencast, with Manual Mining. 1.2m (Avg) is proposed. 14 Bench Height NA 15 Depth of Mining 1.2 m (Avg) above SWL 16 Life of Mining 3 years River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

17 The proposed total Minable 39462 M³ (above SWL) Reserves 18 The proposed quantity of 38670M3(above SWL) reserves (level of production) for Three Years to be mined is (Recoverable reserves) 19 Man Power requirement 10 20 Project Cost 3.70 Lakhs 21 EMP Cost 5.00 Lakhs 22 Nearest Town Kulathupuzha- 7 Km 23 Nearest Railway Station Punalur- 24 kms and Kollam-58 km 24 Nearest Airport Thiruvananthapuram International Airport – 48 Km River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Identification of Project Proponent

Sri. MOHANAN PILLAI, IFS. is the Divisional Forest Officer, Thiruvanthapuram and the application for Environment Clearance for the river sand mining is made on behalf of the Kerala Forest Department.

Applicant Details Name and Address Sri. MOHANAN PILLAI, IFS., Divisional forest officer, Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala. Phone Number +919447979038 E-mail [email protected] Type of Mining Opencast, with Manual Mining Period of Mining The period of mining is required for 3 years

2.2 Identification of Project and project Proponent

The Applicant, Sri. Mohanan Pillai(IFS), Divisional Forest Officer, Thiruvananthapuram has applied for grant of permission for quarrying River sand located in Sy.No. 962/1(p) over an extent of 0.60 Hectares, Milppalam and Chozhiyakode Kadavus, Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District, Kerala for a period of 3 years.

2.3 Brief description of nature of the project

Sri. MOHANAN PILLAI, IFS., Divisional Forest Officer, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala State submit that government was pleased to approve the sand audit report submitted by Kerala Forest Department prepared by M/s Agricultural and Ecosystem Management (AGES), Thiruvananthapuram under the guidance of River Management Cell to mine Kulathupuzha River Sand basin (Tributary of Kallada river) Vide G.O.(M.S) NO.67/2017/RD, Dated, Thiruvananthapuram 04/03/2017. The Government has also agreed to issue a Government order about the sand mining over an extent of 0.60 Hectares in Sy. No. 962/1(P) of KULATHUPUZHA Village, PUNALUR Taluk, KOLLAM District of Kerala State for a River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

period of 3 years. Government of India had also permitted sand mining from the said area as per Forest Conservation Act 1980.

The sand mining from 2 Kadavus namely Milpalam and Chozhiyacode kadavus were continuing till 2013. These kadavus obtained MOEF clearance videsNo. F(C)A/16.1/KER/66/MIN/827 dt. 20.07.2001. The roads leading to these two kadavus already were in existence, which was always kept cleared for the trucks to pass through as this road is used for protection purpose also. The mining and transportation of sand from the kadavaus will not affect the wildlife of the area. No rare/endangered/threatened species of fauna is found in the area. The disturbance caused to the fauna is negligible and sufficient suitable habitat exists nearby so no permanent damage to the fauna will be caused. Similarly no tree felling is required for facilitating transportation of the sand in trucks through the existing road having sufficient width. The ecosystem of the area will not be affected in any way.

The sand audit report of the river is prepared by the AGES (Agricultural and Eco-system Management Group) under the guidance of River Management Cell. The sand audit report was approved and sand mining permitted in Kulathupuzha river vide order No. GO(Ms) No. 67/207/RD dtd. 04.03.2017.Sand audit report of the river for which mining is proposed and approved by Government of Kerala

Geological Reserves is estimated as 16445M3 (above SWL) and Mineable Reserves is estimated as 39462M³ and recoverable reserves is estimated (above SWL) as 38670 M3 of Kulathupuzha River Sand after leaving necessary safety distance from the lease boundary as indicated in the precise area letter and relevant mining laws in force. The average proposed rate of production of River Sandis about 12890M3 per year for Average proposed production of River Sand.

2.4 Need for the project and its importance to the country and or region

The Sand Mining area is of running water area. This is aperennial running water area where water runs throughout the year. The Mineable reserve mentioned is more when compared to the geological reserve which is less. This is because of the deposit of the sand sediment affected by the running water. Hence the sand removal is followed by sand deposit simultaneously. This varies the mineable reserve from the geological reserve which is River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

stagnant. The above summer water level is the mineable reserve. The below summer water level is the Geological reserve which is stagnant. The sand Auditing Report was carried out by concern forest department under water resources management has conducted study on this river basin and maintains the basin from encroachments, remove obstacles on the flow direction of the river, periodical removal of sand etc. The Kulathupuzha River basin (Tributary of Kallada river)deposit found over a large area with little greeneries like Marotti tree. No dip is found being a product of sedimentation. From the field observation, the top layer soil is composed of sand mixed with some amount of soil.

Opencast method of shallow is proposed with manual labour. No machinery will be used or mining the River Sand upto an average depth of 1.20 m (Avg) of sand deposits above SWL. No drilling or blasting is proposed for this type of River Sand quarrying, it is a conventional eco-friendly quarrying operation. The River Sand will be loaded directly to the trucks and Lorries for transportation to the bonafide customers through the existing temporary road. No new road formation is proposed for the transportation of sand from the mining site to stocking yard located in Kulathupuzha Forest Range Office. In this process local people from neighboring villages who are members of Van Samrakshana Samithi are engaged for the purpose of quarrying, maintaining the approaches, regulating the vehicle movements, assisting to take levels, issuing of permits etc., and to regulate the quarry operation in a scientific and systematic manner. Forest department staff will directly supervise and monitor the whole operations. At the site only manpower will be used to load the River Sand, directly into vehicles. After that the loaded vehicles will carry the sand to stocking yard at Kulathupuzha Range Office, covering properly by tarpaulin into avoids spillage. From the yard, sand will be distributed to bona-fide consumers at the rates approved by the government for above poverty line and below poverty line consumers. The driver will be inducted to move the vehicle below 20Km/h inside the lease and 40km/h during transportation. During the transportation the River Sand will be fully covered by Tarpaulin into prevent spillage.

2.5 Demand – Supply Gap River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

Since it is one of the main raw materials in construction project, It’s always in demand. So the proposed mining project will fulfill its end users in local market, as it is always in good demand in construction projects.

2.6 Imports / Exports

No import or export activity is involved in the project.

2.7 Export possibility

No export businesses are taken in this project.

2.8 Domestic/ export markets

The sand will be distributed to bona-fide consumers at the rates approved by the government for above poverty line and below poverty line consumers.

2.9 Employment Generation due to the project

As per Mines safety under the provisions of MMR, 1961 under the Mines Act, 1952, whenever the workers are employed more than 10, it is preferred to have a qualified Mining Mate to keep all the production workers directly under his control and supervision. Local people, who are members of VanSamraakshanaSamithi& forest department officials will keep the registers and record of the mine and make necessary entries for the persons employed in the mines The man power proposed for quarrying River Sand during the Three Years period to achieve the proposed production and to comply with the provisions of the Government norms will be met by local people who are members of VanSamrakshanaSamithi supervised by forest Department officials. It is been ensured that, child labors with less than 21 years of age will not be engaged for quarrying operation. River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

3.1 Type of Project including interlinked and interdependent projects, if any: There is no interlinked project proposed along with this proposal.

3.2 Location (map showing general location, specific location, project boundary) with coordinates The mine lease area is covered under Survey of India (SOI) Topo sheet No: 58 C/8 and geological coordinates are follows, River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

Location Map

Google Image showing Project Boundary River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

3.3 Details of alternate sites considered

No alternative sites considered, and is been carried out as per the sand audit carried out by the concern forest department under water resources management has conducted study on this river basin and maintains the basin from encroachments, remove obstacles on the flow direction of the river, periodical removal of sand etc.

3.4 Size of magnitude of operation

Extent of the mining area is 0.60 hectares. Geological Reserves is estimated as 16445 M3 (above SWL) and Mineable Reserves is estimated as 39462 M³ and recoverable reserves is estimated (above SWL) as 38670 M3 of Kulathupuzha River Sand after leaving necessary safety distance from the lease boundary as indicated in the precise area letter and relevant mining laws in force. The average proposed rate of production of River Sand is about 12890M3 per year for Average proposed production of River Sand.

3.5 Project description with process details

Opencast method of shallow is proposed with manual labour. No machinery will be used or mining the River Sand upto an average depth of 1.20 m (Avg) of sand deposits above SWL. No drilling or blasting is proposed for this type of River Sand quarrying, it is a conventional eco-friendly quarrying operation. The River Sand will be loaded directly to the trucks and Lorries for transportation to the bonafide customers through the existing temporary road. No new road formation is proposed for the transportation of sand from the mining site to stocking yard located in Kulathupuzha Forest Range Office. In this process local people from neighboring villages who are members of Van Samrakshana Samithi are engaged for the purpose of quarrying, maintaining the approaches, regulating the vehicle movements, assisting to take levels, issuing of permits etc., and to regulate the quarry operation in a scientific and systematic manner. Forest department staff will directly supervise and monitor the whole operations. At the site only manpower will be used to load the River Sand, directly into vehicles. After that the loaded vehicles will carry the sand to stocking yard at Kulathupuzha Range Office, covering properly by tarpaulin into avoids spillage. From the yard, sand will be distributed to bona-fide consumers at the rates approved by the government for above poverty line and below poverty line consumers. The driver will be inducted to River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

move the vehicle below 20Km/h inside the lease and 40km/h during transportation. During the transportation the River Sand will be fully covered by Tarpaulin into prevent spillage.

3.5.1 Mode of Working

It is a manual & traditional quarrying operation using without drilling, blasting or use of any machinery.

3.5.2 Proposed Bench Height and Width

It is a shallow quarrying to a depth of 1.2m (Avg) above SWL and there is no benches shall be formed. The excavated area shall be refilled or replenished by sand during rainy season by flood water.

3.6 Conceptual Mining Plan

Conceptual Mining Plan is prepared with an object of Three Years of systematic development of bench lay outs, selection of ultimate pit limit, depth of quarrying, ultimate pit slope, selection of sites for construction of infrastructures etc., Average Ultimate Pit dimension in given as Under,

Ultimate Pit dimension(Block-I) L(m) W(m) D(m) 139 15.8 1.2m (Avg) Ultimate Pit dimension(Block-II) above SWL 233 14.1

Ultimate pit size is designed based on certain practical factors such as the economical depth of mining, safety zones, permissible areas etc. It is a Conventional Ecofriendly Quarrying operation without drilling and Blasting. The rivers sand will replenish naturally during the ensuring flood /rainy season.

3.7 Raw material required along with estimated quantity River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

No raw material is required; project is for mining of sand from river. The extracted sand shall be sent to the bonafide customers.

3.8 Resource optimization / recycling and reuse envisaged in the project

There i s no overburden the sand is clearly visible right from the surface. There is no wastage anticipated during the quarrying operation the entire sand will be transported to needy customers.

3.9 Availability of water its source, energy/ power requirement

The water required will be sourced from the storm water reservoir. However, the drinking water to a tune of 2 KLD will be sourced from the open well which will be purified in mini RO plant. The total water requirement for the proposed activity is 17 KLD. The detailed breakup of the same is given below:

Table 3.3. Water requirements

S.No Particulars Quantity in KLD 1 Domestic and Drinking Purpose 2 Dust Suppression/water sprinkling at 2 12 site as well as ancillary units 3 Green Belt/Plantation 3 Total 17

The ground water level is at a depth of 4-5m in the River basin but in the adjacent open wells water table is found at a depth of 14m.

3.10 Quantity of wastes to be generated and scheme for their management /disposal

No waste generation is anticipated during the mining process. River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

4.0 SITE ANALYSIS

4.1 Connectivity

The sand mining from 2 Kadavus namely Milpalam and Chozhiyacode kadavus were continuing till 2013. The roads leading to these two kadavus already were in existence, which was always kept cleared for the trucks to pass through as this road is used for protection purpose also. Mining site is located in Southern side at a distance of 3 Kms of Kulathupuzha Village.

4.2 Topography / Drainage Pattern

The area applied for mining lease is a river ground with an elevation of 138-139.10 m above MSL. The river basin is composed of sand with some amount of soil mixing. Sand is a product of erosion by natural water but, in this river sand is not purer like other river sand. The ground water level is at a depth of 4-5m in the River basin but in the adjacent open wells water table is found at a depth of 14 m.

Kollam's temperature is almost steady throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. Summer usually runs from March until May; the monsoon begins by June and ends by September. Kollam receives an annual average rainfall of around 3850.87 millimetres (110 in). Kollam receives both Southwest and Northeast Monsoons. Winter is from November to February; the temperature is moderately cool, ranging from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

4.3 Existing Infrastructure

There is no existing infrastructure inside the proposed mining lease area.

5.0 PLANNING BRIEF

Geological Reserves is estimated as 16445 M3 (above SWL) and Mineable Reserves is estimated as 39462 M³ and recoverable reserves is estimated (above SWL) as 38670 M3 of Kulathupuzha River Sand after leaving necessary safety distance from the lease boundary as indicated in the precise area letter and relevant mining laws in force. The average proposed rate of production of River Sand is about 12890M3 per year for Average proposed production of River Sand.

5.1Planning Concept

Not applicable

5.1 Population Projection

About 10 workers will be employed.

5.2 Land Use planning (breaking along with Greenbelt etc)

Table 5.1 Existing Land Use pattern

The Existing land use pattern is previews mining years given in a tabular form as below, Area in use during Present Area (Hect) Sl. No. Land Use the quarrying period (Hect) River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

1. Mining Nil 0.60.0 2. Infrastructure Nil Nil 3. Waste Dump Nil Nil 4. Roads Nil Nil 5. Area Under Plantation Nil Nil 6. Unutilized 0.60.0 Nil Total 0.60.0 Ha. 0.60.0 Ha.

5.3 Amenities / Facilities

a. Drinking Water The water required will be sourced from the storm water reservoir. However, the drinking water to a tune of 2 KLD will be sourced from the open well which will be purified in mini RO plant. The total water requirement for the proposed activity is 17 KLD. b. Sanitary Facilities

Semi-permanent latrines & urinals shall be maintained at convenient places for use of labours as per the provisions of Rule (33) of the Mines Rules, 1960 separately for males and females. Washing facilities shall also be arranged as per rule (36) of the Mines Rules, 1960.

c. First Aid facility Being a small mine, First Aid station as per provisions under Rule (44) of the Mines Rules 1955 will be provided with facilities as per the third schedule as prescribed. Qualified First Aid personnel should be appointed or nominated to attend emergency first aid treatment.

d. Labour Health As per Mines Rule, Periodic medical examination has to be arranged for occupational health once in a year in addition to attending medical treatment of occupational injuries under the Rule 45 (A). MR. 1960. River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

e. Precautionary safety measures to the Labourers Safety provisions like helmet, goggles, safety shoes, Dust mask, Ear, muffs etc have to be provided as per the circulars and amendments made for Mine labours under the guidance of DGMS being a mechanized operation. Necessary training will be conducted once in a year to all the employee with the help of qualified and experienced officers to train about the safe and system at quarrying operation.

6.0 PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE

No infrastructure of any kind is proposed at the site.

6.1 Residential Area No residential area is proposed at mine.

6.2 Green belt Green belt development will be carried out using native species.

6.3 Social Infrastructure

6.3.1 Employment generation

The man power proposed for quarrying River Sand during the Three Years period to achieve the proposed production and to comply with the provisions of the Government norms will be met by local people who are members of VanSamrakshanaSamithi supervised by forest Department officials. It is been ensured that, child labors with less than 21 years of age will not be engaged for quarrying operation

7.0 REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT (R&R) PLAN

The quarry location is a river basin and there are no any human settlement within the quarry area. The nearest public buildings / settlements is at Chozhiyakode and Onthupacha which is at a distance of 1.5 kms towards west and north of the quarry area respectively. Hence there is no rehabilitation and resettlements are required. River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

8.0 PROJECT SCHEDULE & COST ESTIMATE

The mining activity will only be carried out only once the Environment Clearance is granted by the Honorable District Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA), Kollam.

8.1 Proposed Financial Estimate / Budget for (EMP) Environment Management

Fixed Asset Cost: : It is a Government land 1. Land Cost : Rs. 1,00,000/- 2. Labour Shed : Rs. 2,00,000/- 3. Sanitary Facility : Rs. 70,000/- : Total= Rs.3,70,000/-

Operational Cost: Machinery cost : Nil River Sand Mining at Milppalam and Chozhikode Kadavu in Kulathupuzha river at Kulathupuzha Village, Punalur Taluk, Kollam District by the Divisional Forest Office, Thiruvananthapuram Pre-Feasibility Report

EMP Cost: 1. Drinking water facility : Rs. 1,00,000/- 2. Safety kids : Rs. 1,00,000/- 3. Water sprinkling : Rs. 1,00,000/- : Rs. 50,000/- 4. Water quality test : Rs. 50,000/- 5. Air quality test : Rs. 50,000/- 6. Noise/vibration test : Rs. 50,000/- 7. Cost towards charity : Total= Rs. 5,00,000/- : Total Project Cost : Rs. 8,70,000/-

9.0 ANALYSIS OF PROPORSAL ( FINAL RECOMMENDATION)

The river sand mining plan has been approved by Department of Mines and Geology for a proposed maximum annual capacity of 12890M3 Per Annum of sand. The project is economically viable and does not pose any adverse impact on the environment. This project operation will provide livelihood to the poorest section of the society/economically backward population and tribal in the area. The estimates have also taken into consideration the environmental protective measures, social welfare activities etc., the Form-1 M, Pre Feasibility Report and Approved Mining Plan are prepared and annexed with this document.

Project Proponent (Along with name and address)