District Survey Report of Minor Minerals Other Than Sand Mining Or

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District Survey Report of Minor Minerals other than Sand Mining or River Bed Mining, West Khasi Hills Prepared In accordance with Para 7 (iii) (a) of S.O.141 (E) Dated 15th January, 2016, As Amended on S.O. 3611 (E), Dated 25th July 2018 of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Notification.

Compiled by

Shri. FM Wann, MFS ACF & Nodal Officer for West Khasi Hills District Level Task Force

Submitted by

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER & DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER CHAIRPERSON, DISTRICT TASK (SF&T) & FORCE MEMBER SECRETARY, DISTRICT WEST KHASI HILLS, TASK FORCE NONGSTOIN WEST KHASI HILLS, NONGSTOIN

CONTENT No Chapters 1 Introduction

2 Overview of Mining activity in the West Khasi Hills District

3 General Profile of the District

4 Geology and Mineral Wealth of West Khasi Hills District

5 Drainage Pattern in West Khasi Hills District

6 Land Utilization Pattern

7 Surface Water and Ground Water scenario of the District

8 Rainfall Month-wise

9 Details of the mining leases in the District

10 Details of Royalty or Revenue collected from Major Minerals and Minor Minerals in last three years

11 Details of Production of Minor Mineral in last three years

12 Mineral Map of the District

13 List of letter of intent (LOI) holders in West Khasi Hills District

14 Total Mineral Reserve available in the District

15 Quality/Grade of Mineral available on the District

16 Use of Mineral

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

18 Mining Leases marked on the Map of the District

19 Details of the area of where here is a cluster of mining leases

20 Details of Eco-Sensitive Area in the District

Impact on the Environment (air, water, noise, soil, flora & fauna, land use, agriculture, forest etc) 21 due to mining activity

22 Remedial measures to mitigate the impact of mining on the environment

Reclamation of mined out area (best practice already implemented in the District, requirement as 23 per rules and regulation, proposed reclamation plan)

24 Risk assessment & disaster management plan

25 Details of the occupational health issues in the District

26 Plantation and green belt development in respect of leases already granted in the District

27 Other information

Conclusion

PREFACE

The MOEF &CC came out with Environmental Impact Assessment Notification S.O.- 1533(E) dated 14th Sept, 2006. It has been made mandatory to obtain environmental clearance for different kinds of development projects as listed in Scheduled -1 of notification. Accordingly the State Govt. Vide Notification No.FOR.29/2019/1, Dated Shillong the 9th July, 2019 constituted the State Level Committee and District Level Task Force thereafter vide Order No.FOR.29/2019/6, Dated Shillong the 19th July, 2019 notified the Nodal Officer for the purpose of preparation of District Survey Report for Sand mining or river bed mining and for other minor minerals.

Further, in pursuance of the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court Petition (C) No. 19628-19629 of 2009, dated 27th Feb, 2012 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.

In pursuance MOEF&CC Notification S.O. 141(E) dated 15th Jan, 2016, District Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA) & District level Expert Appraisal Committee (DEAC) has been formed for Category –B2 Minor Minerals having area less than or equal to 5 ha.

Under 7(iii) (a) it was also suggested to prepare the district survey report for sand mining or river bed mining and mining of other mineral as prescribed in Appendix X. This has been modified vide S.O. No. - 3611(E) dated 25th July, 2018.

MOEF&CC in consultation with State Government has prepared Guidelines on Sustainable Sand & other Minor minerals mining detailing the provisions on Environmental Clearance for cluster.

SEAC will scrutinize and recommend the prior environmental clearance of Mining of Minor Mineral on basis of District Survey report. This will be a model and guiding document which is a compendium of available mineral resources, geographical setup, environmental and ecological set up of the district and replenishment of minerals and is based on data of various departments, published reports, Journal and websites. The District Survey report will form the basis for application for environmental clearance, preparation of reports and appraisal of projects. District Survey Reports are to be reviewed once in every five years as per statue, however the data bank of DSR can be updated, if required.

The Main objective of the preparation of District Survey Report is to ensure the following:- 1. Identification of river sand mining areas with geo references. 2. Identification of potential area of river silt with geo reference, which is being used for filling purposes. 3. Identification of other minor minerals with geo reference. 4. Identification of other mineral resources if available.

CHAPTER-1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 ABOUT DISTRICT The West Khasi Hills District was carved out of the East Khasi Hills District on 28th October 1976. The district is situated between 25010’ and 25051’ Latitude and 90044’ and 91049’ Longitude. It is bounded on the north-west by Kamrup District of Assam, north-east by Ri-Bhoi District. On the east by East Khasi Hills District and on the south by South West Khasi Hills District, on the west by East Garo Hills District and South Garo Hills District. It have an area of 3911.22 km2 and population of 2,87,781 (2011 census) and density of 73.58% and literacy rate of 78.83%. Nongstoin is the District Headquarter and is divided into four C & RD Blocks viz Mairang, Mawshynrut, Mawthadraishan and Nongstoin and has two Sub-Divisions viz Mairang and Mawshynrut.

West Khasi Hills District

The CLIMATE of the district is mildly tropical in the northern and southern foothills, while in the central upland zone, the climate is temperate and places at medium altitude in the northern, western and southern parts of the district experience sub-tropical climate. The district is influenced by the South-West monsoon and rainfall is assured during summer, but differs greatly in intensity from area to area within the district. The average rainfall ranges from 1200 mm to 3000 mm per annum. The district comprises of eight SYIEMSHIP viz Nongstoin, Nongkhlaw, Maharam, Myriaw, Rambrai, Mawiang, Langrin, Noboshphoh together with the three SIRDARSHIPS of Jyrngam, Riangsih and Nonglang.

CHAPTER-2

Overview of Mining activity in the District

There has been no approved mining lease or quarry permit in the District and hence no mining lease or quarry permit has been granted so far. However the minerals deposit in the District are presented in the table below:

West Khasi Hills District

Name of GPS Mode of Location Uses Minerals Coordinates Occurrence

1 Quartzite Aradonga 25°49'32.08"N Occur as Massive High demand as building 91° 9'34.38"E Layered outcrops material either as raw boulder or stone aggregates.

2 Quartz & Mairang- 25°33'39.45"N Occur as Veins Quartz is used as a Feldspar Nongkhlaw 91°38'3.71"E and dykes gemstone and cultured quartz is widely used in electronic applications. Feldspar is widely used in making dinnerware and used as tiles. It is also used in glass production as a flux

3 Granite Major part 25°31'16.71"N Occur as massive Granite is used in of the 91°15'19.48"E outcrops buildings, bridges, paving, district is monuments, and many covered other exterior projects. with Indoors, polished granite Granite slabs and tiles are used in countertops, tile floors, stair treads and many other design elements

4 Amphibolites Around 25°31'58.42"N Occur as massive Used as Building Materials Nongstoin 91°11'53.50"E outcrops found in area the low lying areas below the Shillong Group of rocks

5 Basic Around 25°40'00"N Batholiths Used as Building Materials Granulites Rambrai 91°19'00"E

Number of Stone Crushers Owner Name and Sl No Location of Stone CrusherDate NOC Granted Address

1 Nil Nil Nil

CHAPTER-3

General Profile of the District

The West Khasi Hills District was carved out of the East Khasi Hills District on 28th October 1976. The district is situated between 25010’ and 25051’ Latitude and 90044’ and 91049’ Longitude. It is bounded on the north-west by Kamrup District of Assam, north-east by Ri-Bhoi District. On the east by East Khasi Hills District and on the south by South West Khasi Hills District, on the west by East Garo Hills District and South Garo Hills District. It have an area of 3911.22 km2 and population of 2,87,781 (2011 census) and density of 73.58% and literacy rate of 78.83%. Nongstoin is the District Headquarter and is divided into four C & RD Blocks viz Mairang, Mawshynrut, Mawthadraishan and Nongstoin and has two Sub-Divisions viz Mairang and Mawshynrut. The CLIMATE of the district is mildly tropical in the northern and southern foothills, while in the central upland zone, the climate is temperate and places at medium altitude in the northern, western and southern parts of the district experience sub-tropical climate. The district is influenced by the South-West monsoon and rainfall is assured during summer, but differs greatly in intensity from area to area within the district. The average rainfall ranges from 1200 mm to 3000 mm per annum. The Climate of the district varies in latitudinal and longitudinal directions and is influenced mainly by physiography. There are four seasons in the district namely summer, monsoon or rainy, autumn and winter. The summer season extends from the end of March to mid May, which is characterized by relatively high temperature, occasional thunderstorm with high wind velocities. The rainy season commences with the onset of southwest monsoon in April and lasts up to October. This is followed by short autumn from mid October to November. This season indicates the slow retreating of monsoon with clear and sunny sky. The winter season extends from December to the end of March. This is the coldest season of the year with sharp decline in the temperature. During winter, some high altitude areas of the state experiences very cold nights. Winter is basically dry with lower diurnal range of temperature. In general, the district has a mildly tropical climate in the northern and southern foothills, whereas central upland portion experiences temperate climate and the places of medium altitude of the northern, southern and western parts of the district experience sub-tropical climate. The district receives a fairly high rainfall throughout the year. Most of the precipitation occurs during the rainy season i.e. between April and October due to SW monsoon. The average rainfall in some of the selected stations of the district is presented in Table Average Rainfall (mm) of Selected Stations in West Khasi Hills

CHAPTER-4

Geology and Mineral Wealth of West Khasi Hills District

GEOLOGY OF WEST KHASI HILLS DISTRICT

The Geology of West Khasi Hills is characterized by the presence of wide variety of rock types that originated in various epochs of the earth's evolution. The older metamorphic comprising of banded magnetite quartzite (BMQ), quartzite, schists, and amphibolites constitute the basement rocks and belongs to Proterzoic in age. The other group of rocks exposed under Assam Meghalaya Gneissic Complex (AMGC) is a combination of classified and unclassified metamorphic rocks. The AMGC is unconformably overlain by Shillong Group of rocks of Proterozoic age comprising of rhythmic sequence of conglomerate, quartzite, shale phyllites quartzite, phyllites and quartz sericite schist. Khasi Greenstone of Proterozoic age is represented here bt meta diorite, epidiorite, ambhibolite, norite and basic megaxenolith. Pink-grey porphyritic granite or non-porphyritic granitoid belonging to the Mylliemgranitoid occurs in the south western part of West Khasi Hills. The Nongpohgranitoid occurs in the central and northern part of the districts and they are represented by granodiorite- diorite, grey- pink porphritic granite, coarse grained pink-gery granite and quartz vein/reef. South khasi batholith is represented by porphyritic granite, coarse grained pink granite and pegmatite veins. The Mahadekfromation is represented by gritty sandstone alternating with conglomerate which is overlain by felsphatic sandstone, conglomerate and clay overlain by glauconitic sandstone. The Mahadek formation occurs in the southern and south western part of the district. The Jaintia group of rocks is represented by the members of Sylhet limestone, Sylhet sandstone, Tura limestone and Siju-Prang limestone. The Jaintia group is overlain by older alluvium of Pleistocene to Holocene age represented by Chaparfromation and Sarbhog formation. The Chapar formation is represented by highly oxidized dark brown to red brown loamy sand and the Sarbhog formation is represented by oxidized to feebly oxidized sand, silt and clay.

MINERAL RESERVES/RESOURCES AND POTENTIAL OCCURRENCES Sillimanite and corundum are the main economic mineral occurring in Sonapahar and north of Nanku. The famous Sonapahar- Nongdom-Langtor, Riangdo, Sillimanite-corundum deposit in West Khasi hills, is the singular occurrence in India, from which superior grade sillimanite and corundum are being exploited. The massive lensoid bodies of sillimanite-corundum are contained mostly in quartz-sillimanite schist and in a few cases in biotite-sillimanite-quartz schist. The reserve estimate of sillimanite as per Indian Mineral Year Book, 2000 is 55807 tonnes. Lateritic bauxite was identified around Rambrai area, northwestern and northeastern parts of Maupatshiyar village of West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. All the lateritic bauxite bodies were developed over granite gneiss, norite/metanorite and sheared amphibolites. The thickness of the complete profile of lateritic bauxite is about 8-10 m. Lateritic bauxite were also identified around Umsung, Nongjyellieh, Lawse, Nongyllieh and Mawdub areas. The host rock is granite gneiss with patchy charnockite of Assam-Meghalaya Gneissic Complex. The thickness of the bauxite is about 3m. Mainly four varieties of bauxite ore viz. pisolitic, bouldery, massive and clayey (friable) are present in the area. A total of 1.58 MT of bauxite have been estimated in Rambrai area. Occurrence of Banded Ferruginous Quartzite was reported in West Khasi Hills. Titanium vanadiferous, magnetite body associated with gabbroic body 5 km east of Rambrai was also reported. Minor bands were also recorded from Rangsapara, Nongkyndong, Um Kiang and Nongianglang. The ferruginous bands occur with quartzite and are a few millimetres thick. Ferruginous layers comprise of flaky hematite with little magnetite. Many thin bands were also observed around Sildubi, Aradonga and Bansapani areas of south of Hahim in West Khasi Hills district. The limestone band around Barsora area belongs to Shella formation. The limestone is highly fossiliferous, hard, massive, jointed and fractured. The physical and chemical properties suggest that this can be used in chemical and cement industry. Coal occurrences are mainly confined to the tertiary sediments of West Khasi hills. Langarin coalfield is located in southern part of West Khasi hills and it forms the largest coalfield of Meghalaya. The coal occurs around Barsora and Maheshkhola village. Exploration for coal by GSI in Nongjri-Kulang area, Nonghyllum plateau, has proved coal in Langrin coal field. The resource estimated in Langrin coal field is 133.16 MT. Deposits of multicoloured granite have been located around Sonapahar (Mawthaliang block) and Maroid,Thangmaw, Lawar and Old Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills district. In Mawthaliang block, West Khasi Hills district, the granite is occurring as bouldery outcrops and in Maroid and Thangmaw areas the granites occur as rectangular to ellipsoidal detached boulders. The granite may yield good dimension stone and the gneisses are used as road and building materials.

CHAPTER-5

Drainage of Irrigation Pattern

Topographical features of West Khasi Hills District include a significant hill range that is the Mawthadraishan range, which runs from east to west.River systems also form a part of the geography of West Khasi Hills District. There are two important river systems in the district, the Kynshi and the Khri, with a number of tributaries. Kynshi is the bigger one and it rises in the southern slopes of Marpna Peak near Mawmaram village (about 10 kms from Mairang on the way to Shillong). It follows a westerly course for a considerable distance then takes a sharp bend to the east and enters the plains of Bangladesh at Ranikor. The Khri River rises near Kyllang rock and flows northwards and is joined by Khri Synnia River before it enters the plains of Assam.

Other important rivers that constitute the drainage system of West Khasi Hills District are Umngi, Wahblei, Riangdo, Tyrsung, Ryndi Umrambrai, Umit and Rwiang,

CHAPTER-6

Land Utilization Pattern

Land Utilization Statistics for the Year 2018-19 DISTRICT: West Khasi Hills District Area in hectre Name of Dev. Blocks Total in the SL. PARTICULARS Nongstoin Mairang Mawshynrut Mawthadrish District NO. an 2017- 2018- 2017- 2018- 2017- 2018- 2017- 2018- 2017- 2018- 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1 Geographical 87523 87523 87729 87729 161400 161400 47948 47948 384600 384600 area 2 Reporting area 86502 86463.5 87593 97568.5 160750 160111 46893 46891 381738 381034

3 Forests (Classed 31900 31900 36772 36772 51850 51850 14489 14489 135011 135011 and uncalssed forest) 4 Area not available for cultivation (i) Area under non-agricultural uses (a) Water logged 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 land (b) Social Forestry 5076 5076 2544 2544 3938 3938 2181 2181 13739 13739 (c) Land under still 1254 1254 571 571 692 692 761 761 3278 3278 water (d) Other land 4060 4098.5 609 633.5 847 1443 102 104 5618 6279 Total (a + b + c + 10390 10428.5 3724 3724.5 5477 6073 3044 3046 22635 23296 d) (ii) Barren 6590 6590 5156 5156 44370 44370 2960 2690 59076 59076 &unculturable land (Total of (i) + 16980 16980 8880 8880 49847 49847 6004 6004 81711 82372 (ii) 5 Other uncultivated lands (a) Permanent pasture and other grazing lands (b) Land under miscellaneous tree crops and grooves etc. (c) Cultivable waste 17000 17000 13690 13690 24499 24499 12390 12390 67579 67579 lands Total (a + b + c) 24608 24608 23136 23136 38314 38314 16505 16482 102563 102540 6 Fallow lands (a) Fallow lands 8553 8553 7606 7606 11772 11772 4624 4624 32555 32555 other than current fallows (b) Current fallows 2200 2200 3801 3801 3720 3720 2251 2251 11972 11972 Total (a + b) 10753 10753 11407 11407 15492 15492 6875 6875 44527 44527 7 Net areas sown 1321 1282.5 4873 4845.5 3827 3231 1920 1941 11939 11939 8 Area sown 940 940 2525 2525 1420 1420 1100 1100 5985 5985 more than once

9 Total crooped 2261 2222.5 7398 7373.5 5247 4651 3020 3041 17924 17288 Area area figure shown in Appendix NB:If the Block-wise area is not available , then the report can be prepared for the whole district fort he time being (as the district wise area is available) Area of broom stick cultivation in this report is shown under Land Misc. Etc. and no. Longer shown under Total Cropped Area Social forestry considered for forest taken under Old Plantation, JFMC and 12thFinance Commission.

Forest:

Table Showing Forest covers in West Khasi Hills District as per the (area in sq km) State of Forest Report 2017

Geographical Area Very Dense Moderately Open Forest Total % of Change* Forest Dense Forest GA

Undivided West Khasi Hills - 110 2457 1391 3958 75.43 -26 5247

*change compared to updated 2015 assessment

Sl Government Autonomous Community Private Forests Plantation (in No Forests District Council Forests Ha) Forests (in Ha) (in Ha) (in Ha) (in Ha)

1 31 NA NA NA Nil

CHAPTER-7

Surface Water and Ground Water scenario of the District

So far no hydrological model for computing surface water resources based on catchment characteristics have been developed for this zone. In such a scenario of inadequate data for preliminary planning, effort have been made for computing runoff of particular dependability i.e 75% by run-off factor approach using the rainfall data of Nongtoin. For this study the average value of rainfall data collected at the nearest station Nongstoin by Agriculture Department Government of Meghalaya for the period from 2002-2013 has been adopted. The surface water available considering 75% dependability in respect of West Khasi Hills District is 3400 MCM approximately. In the district there are no major or medium irrigation projects, hence the agricultural development in the area is dependent on minor irrigation schemes. The existing irrigation schemes are based only on surface water and the source is mainly through non-monsoon base flow. The total command area is 4972.59ha in the district. Piped water supply schemes and spot source water schemes are the main source of water supply schemes and play a major role for the water requirement of the people especially in the rural areas. Piped water supply schemes are categorized into (i) Gravity Feed Schemes and (ii) River Pumping Schemes. Spot source water supply scheme are classified into (i) Hand pump, (ii) Spring tapped chamber and (iii) Well (dug, ring) maintained by Public Health Engineering Department, Meghalaya (PHED).

The availability of water through surface irrigation in the district is 138.5 MCM in which majorly the availability of water is through minor irrigation and has a share of 124 MCM (89.53%) while from various water bodies including rain water harvesting is 14.50 MCM (10.47%).

ASSESSMENT OF DYNAMIC GROUND WATER RESOURCES OF MEGHALAYA (2017)

CHAPTER-8

Rainfall: month-wise

CHAPTER-9

Details of the mining leases in the District are as follows:

Mining Area of Period of Period of Addres Lease Mining Mining Lease Mining lease Name Name s & Grant Lease (Initial) (1st/2nd..renew Sl No of the of the contact order (ha) al) Mineral Lessee No of No & Lessee date

From To From To

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

Status Obtained Location Method of (working/ Environmental of the Mining Non Clearance Mining (Opencast/ Date of working/ Captive/ (Yes/ No). if lease Underground) Commencement Temp Non Yes letter No (latitude & of Mining Working Captive with date of Longitude) Operation for grant of EC dispatch etc) 11 12 13 14 15 16 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

CHAPTER10

Details of Royalty or Revenue collected from Major Minerals and Minor Minerals in last three years NIl

CHAPTER – 11

Details of Production of Minor Mineral in last three years is not available since there is no mining lease or quarry permit granted in the District so far

CHAPTER-12

CHAPTER-13

List of letter of intent (LOI) holders in West Khasi Hills District along with its validity are as follows:

Area of Name Location Sl Name of Address/conta Mining Validit of LOI Grant order Us of the N the ct no of LOI lease y of Miner No & date e Mining o Lessee holder to be LOI al Lease allotte d

T/WSW/ML/Ston Miangsai Shri 6 e/ H.Tabah/39 4.90 n, 1 Stone Hamerlesr Nongstoin month ha Nongdom oy Thabah Dated s 16/01/2019 Rambrai

T/WSW/ML/Ston

Shri. e/ 6 Rangjada 2 Stone Maniksing Nongstoin M.Kharbani/217 2 ha month p Kharbai Dated s 13/11/2019

CHAPTER-14

Total Mineral Reserve available in the District

Meghalaya is endowed with sizeable deposits of a number of valuable minerals. Coal, limestone, uranium, granite, kaolin, clay and glass sand are the principal minerals. A brief account of mineral resources is as follows:

Sl Minerals Reserves in the Grade Major places of occurrence no. State

1 Coal 576 Million Sub-bituminous, Meghalaya coal, which is tertiary tonnes high calorific coal, is generally sub-bituminous in value and high composition. The prominent sulphur content coalfields of the State are West Darrangiri, Siju, Pendengru- Balpakram in the South Garo Hills district; Borsora Langrin and Shallang in the West Khasi Hills district; East Darrangiri partly in West Khasi Hills and partly in East Garo Hills; Mawlong-Shella and Sohra-Cherrapunjee in the East Khasi Hills district and Bapung- Sutnga in the Jaintia Hills district.

2 Limestone 9304 million Cement An extensive bed of limestone tones metallurgical and occurs in the Southern part of the chemical State from Jaintia Hills in the East and Garo Hills in the West. The main deposits are found around Cherrapunjee, Mawlong, Ichamati, Shella, Komorrah in the East Khasi Hills district; Borsora and Bagli in the West Khasi Hills district; Lakadong, Lumshnong and Nongkhlieh in the Jaintia Hills district; and Darrang Era-aning, Siju, Chokpot in the South Garo Hills district.

3 Uranium Uranium - Significant occurrence of uranium deposit is found in and around Domiasiat and Porkut- Nongjri around Wahkynshi area in the West Khasi Hills District.

4 Granite 50 million cubic Table top, wall Deposits of multi-coloured granite meter cladding etc. have been located around Nongpoh in the Ri-Bhoi District; Mylliem in the East Khasi Hills District; Mawkyrwat and Nongstoin in the West Khasi Hills District; and Mendipathar and Songsak in the East Garo Hills District.

5 Clay 97 million tones White ware Sedimentary white clay is found earthen ware around Cherrapunjee and Mahadek

furnace lining in the East Khasi Hills; Nangalbibra curing soap etc. in the South Garo Hills and Rongrengre in the East Garo Hills District.

6 Kaoline 5.24 million White ware Good quality Kaolin (China Clay) tonnes occurs around Mawphlang, Smit and Laitlyngkot in the East Khasi Hills District; Thandlaskein, Shangpung, Mulieh and Mynsngat in the Jaintia Hills District; and Darugiri in the East Garo Hills District.

7 Iron ore - Low grade West khasi hills and East Garo Hills

8 Glass sand 3.00 million Oridanary glass Glass Sand - Glass sand is found to tones ware occur at Laitryngew, Umstew and Kreit in the East Khasi Hills and Tura in the West Garo Hills.

9 Quartz 0.5 million tones Industrial grade Quartz occurs almost in all districts in the Northern part of the State.

10 Feldspar Ceramic grade Feldspar and iron ore are reported in the Ri-Bhoi and West Khasi Hills Districts;

11 Sillimanite 50 million tones High temperature Sillimanite is found in some parts of furnace lining Mawthengkut Block at Sonapahar of the West Khasi Hills District.

12 Bauxite 1.45 million Low grade Jaintia hills tones

13 Rock Low grade Jaintia hills phosphate

CHAPTER-15, 16 & 17

Quality/Grade of Mineral available in the District, Use of Mineral and Demand and Supply of the mineral in the last three years

Sl Name of GPS Mode of Requirement Location Uses no Minerals Coordinates Occurrence /Demand

25°49'32.08"N 1 Quartzite Aradonga low grade 91° 9'34.38"E

Quartz & Mairang- 25°33'39.45"N 2 Feldspar Nongkhlaw 91°38'3.71"E

Occur as

Massive 3 Quartzite Aradonga 25°49'32.08"N Layered 91° 9'34.38"E outcrops

Granite is used in buildings, bridges, paving, monuments, and Major part many other of the Occur as exterior projects. district is 4 Granite 25°31'16.71"N massive Indoors, polished covered 91°15'19.48"E outcrops granite slabs and with tiles are used in Granite countertops, tile floors, stair treads and many other design elements

Occur as massive outcrops Around found in the Used as Building 5 Amphibolite Nongstoin 25°31'58.42"N low lying Materials area 91°11'53.50"E areas below the Shillong Group of rocks

Basic Around 25°40'00"N Used as Building 6 Batholith Granulite Rambrai 91°19'00"E Materials

CHAPTER-18

Since the District has not granted any mining lease or quarry permit till date, therefore Mining

Lease cannot be marked on the map of the District

CHAPTER-19

Since the District has not granted any mining leases or quarry permit, therefore details of the area of where there is a cluster of mining leases viz number of mining leases, location (latitude and longitude) may be treated as Nil

CHAPTER-20

There is no declared Eco-Sensitive Area in the District

CHAPTER-21

Impact on the Environment (air, water, Noise, soil, flora & Fauna, land use, agriculture, forest etc) due to mining activity

Mining operations impact the environment in several ways. Impact on Environment due to mining activities varies based on the quantum of production rate proposed.

Impact of mining on Air:

The largest sources of air pollution in mining operations dust emission in the form of Respirable

Suspended Particulate (RSPM) Matter and Suspended particulate matter (SPM) during excavations, blasting, loading and unloading, transportation of materials, wind erosion (more frequent in open-pit mining),fugitive dust from tailings facilities, stockpiles, waste dumps, and haul roads. Another source of pollution would be emission from trucks/vehicle used for transportation of mineral. These pollutants can cause serious effects to people’s health and to the environment.

Impact of mining on water:

Mining activity affects both surface and subsurface water. Due to mining water bodies can get contaminated with dust and toxic materials. The drainage system and topography will influence extent of water pollution. During excavation huge quantity of waste and dust generated which may flow to water bodies leading to reduced water carriage capacity, floods and reduced light penetration. Acid mine drainage is considered one of mining most serious threats to water resources. A mine with acid mine drainage has the potential for long-term devastating impacts on rivers, streams and aquatic life.

Noise pollution

Noise pollution associated with mining may include noise from vehicle engines, loading and unloading of rock into steel dumpers, chutes, power generation, and other sources. Cumulative impacts of shoveling, ripping, drilling, blasting, transport, crushing, grinding, and stock-piling can significantly affect wildlife and nearby residents. Vibrations are associated with many types of equipment used in mining operations, but blasting is considered the major source. Vibration has affected the stability of infrastructures, buildings, and homes of people living near large-scale open- pit mining operations. According to a study commissioned by the European Union in 2000: “Shocks and vibrations as a result of blasting in connection with mining can lead to noise, dust and collapse of structures in surrounding inhabited areas. The animal life, on which the local population may depend, might also be disturbed.”

Impact on Flora and fauna

Mining activity is one of the major reasons for deforestation, loss of biodiversity, habitat degradation and habitat fragmentation . Mining activity will require clearing of vegetation leading to loss of green cover. Dust and noise pollution will create affect wildlife. Mining activity in the wild life corridor/wildlife habitat will affect animal movement and will lead to man-animal conflict. Mining will change the topography of the area thereby causing physical disturbances to the landscape, creating eyesores.

Impact on agriculture

Agricultural yield will be reduced due to obstructions by the dust particles as settled on the leaves reducing photosynthesis process of plant.

CHAPTER-22

Remedial measures to mitigate the impact of mining on the environment

Records of such site plan, duly verified by competent authority shall be maintained. Mining lease area should be demarcated on the ground with wire fencing to show the boundary of the lease area on all sides with red flags on every pillar. The Project Proponent shall erect the pillars for depicting GPS details in the earmarked boundary for the quarry site to monitor centrally.

Mining activities shall be restricted only to ‘non forest area’ of the leased area and shall not be extended to any other area. No tree felling shall be done, except only with the permission from the Competent Authority.

A minimum distance of 15 meters from any civil structure shall be kept from the periphery of the excavation area.

Air and Noise pollution shall be checked periodically and to maintain records. Device for checking Air and Noise Pollution shall be installed at the site as specified by the MSPCB, Shillong in the plan. The PP shall take appropriate measures to comply with the revised National Ambient Air

Quality (NAAQ) norms notified by MoEF &CC on 16.11.2009 and measures should be taken to comply with the provisions laid under Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) (Amendment) Rules,

2010 dated11.01.2010 issued by MoEF & CC to control noise to the prescribed levels.

Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed around the mine working, mineral and OB dumps to prevent run off or water and flow of sediments directly into the river and other water bodies. The water so collected should be utilized for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development etc. the drains shall be regularly desilted and maintained properly.

The dump capacity shall be designed keeping 50 % safety margin over and above peak sudden rainfall (based on 50 years data) and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site, and it shall allow adequate retention period for proper setting of the silt material.

Plantation shall be raised in 7.5 m wide green belt in the safety zone around the mining lease, backfilled and reclaimed area, around water body, along the road etc. by planting native species, following the CPCB guidelines for green belt plantation and in consultation with the DFO

(Social Forestry). Greenbelt shall be developed all along the mine lease area in a phased manner and shall be completed within 3 years. The density of trees shall be around 2500 per ha.

Other Remedial measures to mitigate the impact of mining on the Environment

1. Water shall be sprinkled at regular interval on the main roads, service roads and at loading points to suppress fugitive dust. 2. Wet drilling method is to be adopted to control emission. 3. Provision of ear plug to the workers. 4. Blasting shall be carried out during day time only after taking necessary precautionary measures to ensure safety of public. 5. Air and noise pollution shall be checked periodically and to maintain records. 6. Speed of trucks entering or leaving the mine is to be limited to moderate speed to prevent undue noise from empty trucks and reduce dust emission. 7. The mined out pits should be backfilled and area should be suitably landscaped to prevent environmental degradation. 8. Mine closure plan as per the mining plan shall be strictly followed with back filling, tree plantation. 9. Rain water getting accumulated in the quarry/mines shall not be discharged directly to the nearby stream or water body. 10. The workers employed shall be provided with personal protective equipment and dust masks. 11. Periodic medical examination of the workers and shall organize medical camp in the area. 12. Occupational health check ups shall be done once in six months for workers. 13. Adequate measures to be taken during excavation to ensure that mining activity does not affect hydrological regime. 14. Shall ensure that no natural water course/ or water resources shall be obstructed due to mining activity. 15. Pollution due to transportation shall be effectively controlled. 16. Mineral transportation shall be carried out through covered trucks only. 17. Regular and proper maintenance of working equipments. 18. Regular training program to the mines workers and operators. 19. In the mining area adequate number of check dam, retaining walls garland drain and settling ponds should be provided to arrest the wash-off with rain water. 20. Comprehensive green belts of desired widths are to be maintained around the mining areas to control noise, dust pollution and to generate a healthy environment.

CHAPTER-23

Reclamation of mined out area (best practice already implemented in the District, requirement as per rules and regulation, proposed reclamation plan)

The mined out pits should be backfilled and area should be suitably landscaped to prevent environmental degradation. The mine closure plan as per the Mining Plan shall be strictly followed with back filling, tree plantation, with indigenous species. The over burden (OB) generated during the mining operations shall be stacked at earmarked dump site(s) only. The maximum height of the dumps shall not exceed 8m and width 20 m and overall slope of the dumps shall be maintained at

450. The OB dumps should be scientifically vegetated with suitable native species to prevent erosion and surface run off. In critical areas, use of geo textiles shall be undertaken for stabilization of the dump. The PP to adopted following measures to control erosion of dumps: (a) Retention/ toe walls shall be provided at the foot of the dumps. (b) worked out slopes are to be stabilized by planting appropriate shrub/ grass species on the slopes. During closure of the mine the over burden can be used for filling up the entire excavated areas and in no circumstances the PP shall bring top soil from other areas to fill the pit. In the partially filled pit, the maintenance of trenches should be strictly followed to allow soil to stabilize on the trenches. It is preferable that an orchard is raised by the PP on the reclaimed area to demonstrate that the mined denuded land can be reclaimed. Monitoring and management of rehabilitated area shall continue until the vegetation becomes self sustaining.

Status shall be reflected in the six monthly compliance reports.

Rainwater getting accumulated in the quarry floor shall not be discharged directly to the nearby stream or water body. If it is to be let into the nearby water body, it has to be discharged into silt trap on the surface within the lease area and only the overflow after allowing setting of soil to be let into the nearby water ways. The silt trap should be of sufficient dimensions to catch all the slit water being pumped out during one season. The silt trap should be cleaned of all the deposited silt at the end of the season and kept ready for taking care of the silt in the next season.

It shall be ensured that the total extent of nearby quarries (existing, abandoned and proposed) located within 500 meter radius from the periphery of this quarry is not exceeding 25 hectares within the mining lease period of this application.

Reclamation has three vital roles:

i. Reclamation – Reclamation means return the mined-out land with useful life. It implies restoring the land to a form and productivity that is useful and inconfromiti with a prior land use. Reclamation always may not be a singlephase operation.

ii. Rehabilitation – Rehabilitation is to bring bach the degraded land to a normal stage by a special treatment. It is a process of taking some mitigation measures for disturbed environmental condition created through mining activities.

iii. Restoration – Restoration is the process of returning the mined out land being fit to an acceptable environmental condition. However, the general acceptable meaning of the term is bringing the disturbed land to its original form. Restoration is often used to indicate that biological properties of soil are put back ot what they were.

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. 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 will be paid for.

Reclamation Plan

Items Activities

(i) Backfilling

Reclamation & (ii) Afforestation on backfilled area Rehabilitation of Mined out land / (iii) Afforestation on exhaust benches area (iv) Pisciculture

(v) Converting into reservoir/fish pond

(vi) Landscaping and conversion to recreational centre

(Vii) converting into Grazing land

(i) Terracing

Stabilization & Rehabilitation (ii) Pitching

of dumps (iii) Construction of papapet walls / retaining wall at toe of dump

(iv) Construction of check dams along slope of valleys

(v) Construction of settling pond, channels garland drains etc

(vi) Afforestation on dumps

(vii)Use of Jute Geo textile to stabilise slopes

Rehabilitation of barren area (i) Afforestation within lease

Environmental monitoring (i) Ambient Air quality (Core Zone) (ii) Water quality

(iii) Noise Level Survey

(iv) Ground vibration

Statutory requirement:

As per the Mineral Conservation Development Rule, 2017, the following rules must be in mind by the mine owner/agent/manager, which is a part of reclamation activities –

Rule 22, Mine Closure Plan

Rule 23, Submission of Progressive Mine Closure Plan

Rule 24, Submission of Final Mine Closure Plan

Rule 26, Responsibility of holder of mining lease Rule

27, Financial Assurance Rule

35, Sustainable Mining

CHAPTER-24

Risk assessment & disaster management plan

Regarding the District Survey Report on Minor Minerals, in connection with point no. 22 on Risk

Assessment and Disaster Management Plan from Directorate of Mineral Resources, it may be mentioned that as per the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rule 2016 only the minerals which falls under the Schedule II list is under the purview of the Mining and Geology Department and those in Schedule III falls under the State Forest Department. Moreover Mining is a site specific for which

EIA and EMP in general form is not possible as long as the whole area is not disturbed. Further, if any Mining operation comes in any location all the relevant EIA and EMP of all the applicationfor

Mining Lease on Minor Mineralswill be detailed and reflected in the Mining Plan for each specific

Mineral and location.

The Mining Operations is usually hazardous and destructive in nature. Some of the risk assessment relating to Mining Operations is as below:

1. Slope/ Benches failure. 2. Accidents due to machineries and equipment. 3. Inundation. 4. Accidents due to blasting/ explosives. 5. Accidents due to Fire. 6. Accidents due to inadvertent entry of people and animals.

Disaster Management Plan

In order to mitigate the above Risk Assessment, the Disaster Management Plan in order to minimize accidents and control the damage, the followings are to be followed:

1. Proper maintenance of benches and slope along with proper design considering the stability of the working benches or slopes. 2. Proper maintenance of machinery and equipments and proper signalling methods. Proper maintenance of berms on haul roads including the proper width and gradient of haul roads. 3. Proper maintenance of drainage/ sump and pumps. 4. Care has to be taken on handling of explosive, misfires and proper design of blasting parameter and use of blasting accessories to minimize fly rocks, noise and vibration. Proper signalling and maintenance of blasting shelter.

5. Fire extinguisher has to be kept in all the machineries and wherever a fire hazard is anticipated. 6. Proper fencing of the lease boundary is to be practise in order to avoid any inadvertent entry. 7. Detailed list of equipment available, its type & capacity and items reserved for emergency 8. Apart from the above precautions, Emergency Response Team is to be arranged by the lessee under the supervision of Mine Manager to tackle in case of any disaster/ accident. 9. Management to ameliorate the situation of panic, tension, sentiments, grievances and misgivings created by any disaster and to help the injured, survivors and family members of affected persons by providing material, finance, moral support and establishing contact with relatives of victims. 10. It is also important that the lessee has to maintain the following facilities in the area:-

1. First Aid Room. 2. Telephones/ Mobile handsets 3. Emergency alarm in mine. 4. Fire fighting equipment and accessories with trained manpower. 5. Training Centre. 6. Ambulance van. 7. medical centre and rescue room

CHAPTER-25

Detail of occupational health issues in the District (last five years data of number of patients of Silicosis and Tuberculosis)

CHAPTER-26

Plantation and green belt development in respect of leases already granted in the District

Forestry). Greenbelt shall be developed all along the mine lease area in a phased manner and shall be completed within 3 years. The density of trees shall be around 2500 per ha.

In respect of plantation and green belt development of already granted leases the lessee will maintained a 7.5m boundary zone of the lease area which is a part of environment protection measures and for this the proposed yearly expenditure on environment activities is as submitted by the lesses in the Pre- Feasibility Report prior to granting of Environmental Clearance. The green belt will not only on the one hand function as a foreground and background landscape feature resulting in harmonizing and amalgamating the physical structures of the mines with the surrounding environment but will also on the other hand act as a pollution sink , control erosion, make the ecosystem more stable and also make the climate more conductive. The choice of species to be planted should preferably be the local species compatible with the environmental conditions prevailing in the area.

CHAPTER-27

Any other Information

Water Quality of Rivers in the District

WATER QUALITY DATA (AVERAGE) JANUARY - JUNE 2019

Parameters

Location Distri Name of cts Rivers Total Suspended pH Turbidity (mg/L) Solids (mg/L)

Min Max Ave Min Max Ave Min Max Ave

Sohiong 6.9 7.2 7.0 2.7 7.2 4.3 7.0 11 9.1 Kynshi West Nongkhnum 6.8 7.1 6.9 3.4 4.8 4.0 7.0 11 8.8 Khasi River Hills Ranikor 6.0 6.7 6.3 2.8 8.9 5.4 5.0 19 11.7

Riangdo 6.6 7.5 7.0 0.3 7.8 4.4 1.5 16 9.3 Wah Blei Shdaddkhar 6.2 7.1 6.7 0.4 6.7 3.9 1.8 18 10.7

WATER QUALITY DATA (AVERAGE) MARCH - JUNE 2019

Parameters pH Total Suspended Name Turbidity (mg/L) Solids (mg/L) Districts of Location Rivers Min Max Ave Min Max Ave Min Max Ave

West Rwiang 7.1 7.4 7.2 1.4 5.4 3.3 4 10 6.8 Rwiang Khasi River Hills

District Survey Report of Sand Mining or River Bed Mining, West Khasi Hills Prepared In accordance with Para 7 (iii) (a) of S.O.141 (E) Dated 15th January, 2016, As Amended on S.O. 3611 (E), Dated 25th July 2018 of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Notification.

Compiled by

Shri. FM Wann, MFS ACF & Nodal Officer for West Khasi Hills District Level Task Force

Submitted by

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER & DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER CHAIRPERSON, DISTRICT TASK (SF&T) & FORCE MEMBER SECRETARY, DISTRICT WEST KHASI HILLS, TASK FORCE NONGSTOIN WEST KHASI HILLS, NONGSTOIN

CONTENT

No Chapters

1 Introduction

2 Overview of Mining activity in the West Khasi Hills District

3 List of Granted Mining Lease in the District

Details of Royalty or Revenue collected from Major Minerals and Minor Minerals in last three 4 years

Details of production of Sand or Bajri (Gravel/Aggregate) or minor minerals in last three 5 years

6 Process of Deposition of sediments in the rivers of the District

7 General Profile of the District

8 Land Utilization Pattern

9 Physiography of West Khasi Hills District

10 Rainfall :Month Wise

11 Geology and Mineral Wealth of West Khasi Hills District

Conclusion

PREFACE

MOEF&CC in consultation with State Government has prepared Guidelines on Sustainable Sand & other Minor minerals mining detailing the provisions on Environmental Clearance for cluster.

CHAPTER-1

INTRODUCTION

Mawthadraishan and Nongstoin and has two Sub-Divisions viz Mairang and Mawshynrut.

CHAPTER-2

Overview of Mining activity in the District

West Khasi Hills District

Name of GPS Mode of Location Uses Minerals Coordinates Occurrence

1 Quartzite Aradonga 25°49'32.08"N Occur as Massive High demand as building 91° 9'34.38"E Layered outcrops material either as raw boulder or stone aggregates.

4 Amphibolites Around 25°31'58.42"N Occur as massive Used as Building Materials Nongstoin 91°11'53.50"E outcrops found in area the low lying areas below the Shillong Group of rocks

5 Basic Around 25°40'00"N Batholiths Used as Building Materials Granulites Rambrai 91°19'00"E

Number of Stone Crushers Owner Name and Sl No Location of Stone CrusherDate NOC Granted Address

1 Nil Nil Nil

CHAPTER-3

List of Mining Leases: Name of Leasee with Validity Period of Sl No Location of Quarry/Mine Area of Quarry/Mine Address Lease

1 Nil Nil Nil Nil

CHAPTER-4

Details of Royalty or Revenue collected from Major Minerals and Minor Minerals in last three years- Nil

CHAPTER-5

Details of production of Sand or Bajri (Gravel/Aggregate) or minor minerals in last three years is Nil

CHAPTER-6

Process of Deposition of Sediments in the rivers of the District

Erosion is natural process, weathering, corrosion, or abrasion can reduce a material into smaller particles. Normally, these smaller units are relocated by water, wing, ice, or man. Erosion removes to soil, organic material, and other valuable resources. Once a material is broken free of the larger mass, it can be carried away and deposited elsewhere.

There are four seasons in the District namely summer, monsoon or rainy, autumn and winter. The summer season extends from the end of March to mid- May, which is characterized by relatively high temperature. Rainy season commences with the onset of southwest monsoon in April and lasts up to October. This is followed by short autumn from mid-October to November. Winter season extends from December to the end of March. This is the coldest season of the year with sharp decline in temperature. The important rivers of the District are Kynshi, Wahblei, Rwiang and Wahryndi are which are south flowing rivers and Khri, Tyrsung, Umrambrai, Umit and Umshiak are north flowing joining the Brahmaputra . All these rivers emerges from the catchment and hills of the district having an average height of 1300m above mean sea level as first order river, navigates down the undulating land with gentle to moderate slopes whose elevation ranges from 200 to 600 above msl before meeting the plains bordering Assam and Bangladesh The soils of Khasi Hills are generally red loamy, varying sometimes between clayey and sandy loam and rich in organic matter and nitrogen, vegetation cover is mostly dense tropical mixed forest type with predominance of Pine and other local indigenous trees and bamboos. Most of these rivers have gone through the two stages of life within the district and because of the type of soil and reduction in vegetation cover as people have started taking up cultivation in the slopes of the hills, compounded by depleting forest cover and moderate to high velocity, significant erosion activity occurs and during monsoon the rivers water is laden with good amount of solids. As it enters the flat terrain, the rivers meandering start to occur leading to deposition of sediments on one side and erosion on the other. However, as banks of theses rivers at this stage are still of relatively good height, even though from time to time flood water covers the agricultural plains only deposition of thin sheet of silt would happen in the field which actually benefits the soil. In winter when the river is carrying just the base flow, sediment deposits in the river beds in the lower plain stretches gets expose and mining activity becomes favorable.

CHAPTER-7

General Profile of the District

CHAPTER-8

Land Utilization Pattern

Forest:

Table Showing Forest covers in West Khasi Hills District as per the (area in sq km) State of Forest Report 2017

Geographical Area Very Dense Moderately Open Forest Total % of Change* Forest Dense Forest GA

Undivided West Khasi Hills - 110 2457 1391 3958 75.43 -26 5247

*change compared to updated 2015 assessment

Sl Government Autonomous Community Private Forests Plantation (in No Forests District Council Forests Ha) Forests (in Ha) (in Ha) (in Ha) (in Ha)

1 31 NA NA NA Nil

CHAPTER-9

Physiography of West Khasi Hills District

Geomorphologically the district is an undulatory terrain with the E-W trending Khasi hill ranges of Central Upland zone. The West Khasi Hills district also represents the remnant of ancient plateau of Indian Peninsular shield that is deeply dissected suggesting several geotectonic and structural deformities that the plateau has undergone. The average altitude of the Central Upland is about 1,300 m above Mean Sea Level. The highest peak is “Kyllang rock” touching a height of 1774 m.amsl (metres above Mean Sea Level). Mawthadraishan range, trending east – west, is the most significant hill range of West Khasi Hills District. Other northern, southern and western parts have a general altitude of 150 to 900 m.amsl. Geomorphologically, the district represents denudational hills of old gneissic and schistose rocks except in the southern parts where highly dissected plateau are observed. Few narrow elongated intermontane valleys are seen along major lineaments. The drainage system of the district is controlled by topography. The east-west trending central upland acts as water divide dissecting the district into two drainage basins. The northern system drains out into the mighty Brahmaputra River in the adjoining Assam state and the major drainage system in the south drains into the Meghna basin merges into the Bangladesh plains. Kynshi is the major river that originates in the southern slope of Marpna peak near Mawmaram village. This river is joined by number of tributaries on its westerly course ultimately draining into Bangladesh. Another River Khri rises near Kyllang rock flowing northward into Assam plains. Other important Rivers of the district are Wahblei, Riangdo, Tyrsung, Ryndi, Rwiang etc. The drainage pattern of the district is angular to sub-angular and is found to be structurally controlled.

Broadly, the district can be differentiated into the following geomorphic units.

- Denudational Low and High Hills: It occupies the major part of the district comprising of hard rocks like granite and gneiss. It is moderately dissected by fractures and joints forming a good number of narrow intermontane valleys. - Dissected Plateau: It is found in the southern portion of district comprising of soft and friable rocks like shale, sandstone and quartzite. - Deep Gorges: It is exposed in the southern parts comprising of Tertiary rocks like sandstone, shale and limestone.

Soil Type

The district shows different types of soil as the provenance differs widely. Red Gravelly and Red Loamy Soil are the common soil types. The soils are acidic in nature and comparatively rich in organic matter and nitrogen but poor in phosphorous.

CHAPTER-10

Rainfall: month-wise

CHAPTER-11

Geology and Mineral Wealth of West Khasi Hills District

GEOLOGY OF WEST KHASI HILLS DISTRICT

CHAPTER-12

Drainage System with description of main rivers

CHAPTER-13

CHAPTER-14

District availability of sand (or gravel or aggregate) resources

Averag Length e Volum Mineable of the Area Width e mineral Portion of area Recom of area recom potential River recom mende recom mende (in metric Sl recommen mende d for River GPS mende d for tonne) No ded for d for mineral d for mineral (60% of mineral mineral conces mineral conces total concession conces sion conces sion (in mineral sion (in (sq m) sion (in cu m) potential) m) m)

1 Kynshi Shyrwang N 25031’26.39” 240 40 9600 9600 12960

E 91035’12.95”

2 Kynshi Shyrwang N 25032’22.78” 115 35 4025 4025 5433.75

E 91034’01.72”

3 Kynshi Shyrwang N 25031’17.62” 60 20 1200 1200 1620

E 91034’52.16”

4 Kynshi Shyrwang N 25031’05.40” 483 27 13041 13041 17605.35

E 91033’54.89”

5 Kynshi Shyrwang N 25030’57.94” 140 17 2380 2380 3213

E 91033’27.00”

1038 30246 40832.1

6 Kynshi Kynshi N 25030’50.20” 157 35 5495 5495 7418.25 Bangla

E 91032’45.08”

7 Kynshi Kynshi N 25030’49.64” 135 27 3645 3645 4920.75 Bangla

E 91032’35.79”

8 Kynshi Kynshi N 25031’02.01” 58 28 1624 1624 2192.4 Bangla

E 91032’12.98”

350 10764 14531.4

9 Kynshi Nongkhnum N 25026’40.08” 302 25 7550 7550 10192.5

E 91017’55.83”

302 7550 10192.5

10 Kynshi Kynroh N 25028’45.70” 775 50 38750 38750 52312.5

E 91018’36.61”

11 Kynshi Kynroh N 25028’28.33” 540 20 10800 10800 14580

E 91019’10.57”

12 Kynshi Jaidoh N 25028’4.75” 250 24 6000 6000 8100

E 91019’35.20”

13 Kynshi Jaidoh N 25028’05.31” 426 20 8520 8520 11502

E 91019’33.77”

14 Kynshi New N 25027’01.88” 210 50 10500 10500 14175 Nongtnger

E 91020’49.16”

15 Kynshi New N 25027’33.73” 76 25 1900 1900 2565 Nongtnger

E 91020’58.38”

16 Kynshi Jaidoh N 25027’51.70” 2474 50 123700 123700 166995

E 91021’01.92”

17 Kynshi Ramtrai N 25028’05.01” 160 30 4800 4800 6480

E 91023’07.86”

4911 204970 276709.5

River Boulder (MT) Bajari (MT) Sand (MT) Total Mineable Mineral Potential (MT)

Kynshi - - 253530 342265.5

Sl River Portion of GPS Length Averag Area Volume Mineable No River of the e Width Recom recom mineral recommend area of area mende mende potential ed for recom recom d for d for (in metric mineral mende mende mineral mineral tonne) concession d for d for conces conces (60% of mineral mineral sion (sq sion (in total conces conces m) cu m) mineral sion (in sion (in potential) m) m)

1 Khri Khrisynnia N 25043’43.21” 500 45 22500 22500 30375

E 91039’57.55”

2 Khri Khrisynnia N 25043’36.05” 314 32 10048 10048 13564.8

E 91039’43.54”

3 Khri Umtyrsung N 25043’18.84” 262 32 8384 8384 11318.4

E 91041’26.37”

4 Khri Umtyrsung N 25043’08.43” 950 50 47500 47500 64125

E 91042’49.22”

5 Khri Umtyrsung N 25043’21.56” 1902 50 95100 95100 128385

E 91042’12.61”

6 Khri Umtyrsung N 25041’35.55” 667 45 30015 30015 40520.25

E 91043’27.41”

7 Khri Umtyrsung N 25043’16.46” 500 25 12500 12500 16875

E 91041’50.49”

5095 226047 305163.45

River Boulder (MT) Bajari (MT) Sand (MT) Total Mineable Mineral Potential (MT)

Khri - - 226047 305163.45

Rwiang Rwiang N25036’ 25.76” 350 40 14000 14000 18900

E 91011’15.97”

Rwiang Tiniang N 25036’51.53” 280 20 5600 5600 7560

E 91011’50.95”

Rwiang Rwiang N 25036’31.77” 90 35 3150 3150 4252.5

E 91011’13.97”

Rwiang Rwiang N 25035’49.75” 70 20 1400 1400 1890

E 91010’14.09”

29 Rwiang Rwiang N 25036’05.34” 1100 27 29700 29700 40095

E 91010’28.60”

1890 53850 72697.5

River Boulder (MT) Bajari (MT) Sand (MT) Total Mineable Mineral Potential (MT)

Rwiang - - 53850 72697.5

CHAPTER-15

Sl River Portion of the Length of Average width Area Mineable mineral No River or area of area recommended potential (in Or Stream recommended recommended for mineral metric tonne) Stream recommended for mineral for mineral concession (60% of total for Mineral concession concession (in meter) mineral Concession (in kilometer) (in meter) potential)

1 Kynshi GPS co- 6.601 38 253530 342265.5 ordinates attached

2 Khri Do 5.095 44 226047 305163.45

3 Rwiang Do 1.890 28 53850 72697.5

Total for the District 13.586 533427 720126.45

Mineral Potential

Boulder (MT) Bajari (MT) Sand (MT) Total Mineable Mineral Potential (MT)

- - 533427 720126.45

Annual Deposition

Boulder (MT) Bajari (MT) Sand (MT) Total Mineable Mineral Potential (MT)

- - - -

Conclusion

Ordinary earth and Sand has become very important minerals for our society due to its many uses. Ordinary earth can be used for making brick, filling roads, whereas sand may be used as building sites, brick-making, making glass, Sandpapers, reclamations, and etc. The role of sand is very vital with regards to the protection of the environment. It acts as a buffer against strong waves and storm surges by reducing their impacts as they reach the river bed. Clean sand is indeed a rare commodity on land, but common in sand dunes and beaches.

The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal settings is silica (silicon dioxide, or SiO2), usually in the form of quartz which because of its chemical inertness and considerable hardness, is the most common mineral resistant to weathering and it has become a very important mineral for the expansion of society.

Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles. River sand is one of the world’s most plentiful resources (perhaps as much as 20% of the Earth’s crust is sand) and has the ability to replenish itself. River sand is vital for human well being & for sustenance of rivers.

The “SUSTAINABLE SAND MINING MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES –2016” of MoEF & CC envisages to ensure that sand and gravel mining is done in environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner; availability of adequate quantity of aggregate in sustainable manner; improve the effectiveness of monitoring of mining and transportation of mined out minerals; conservation ofthe river equilibrium and its natural environment by protection and restoration of the ecological system; avoid aggradations at the downstream reach especially those with hydraulic structures such as jetties, water intakes, etc.; to ensure the rivers are protected from bank and bed erosion beyond its stable profile; no obstruction to the river flow, water transport and restoring the riparian rights and in-stream habitats; to avoid pollution of river water leading to water quality deterioration; to prevent depletion of ground water reserves due to excessive draining out of ground water; and streamlining the process for grant of environmental clearance for sustainable mining.

The MoEF & CC has also issued notifications SO No. 141(E) dated 15.01.2016 and SO No. 190(E) dated 20.01.2016. These notifications promote use of satellite imagery to decide the site suitable for mining and quantity of sand which can be mined.

The MoEF&CC prescribes following procedures for sand mining:

a. Parts of the river reach that experience deposition or aggradations shall be identified first. The Lease holder/ Environmental Clearance holder may be allowed to extract the sand and gravel deposit in these locations to manage aggradations problem. b. The distance between sites for sand and gravel mining shall depend on the replenishment rate of the river. Sediment rating curve for the potential sites shall be developed and checked against the extracted volumes of sand and gravel. c. Sand and gravel may be extracted across the entire active channel during the dry season. d. Abandoned stream channels on terrace and inactive floodplains be preferred rather than active channels and their deltas and flood plains. Stream should not be diverted to form inactive channel. e. Layers of sand and gravel which could be removed from the river bed shall depend on the width of the river and replenishment rate of the river. f. Sand and gravel shall not be allowed to be extracted where erosion may occur, such as at the concave bank. g. Segments of braided river system should be used preferably falling within the lateral migration area of the river regime that enhances the feasibility of sediment replenishment. h. Sand and gravel shall not be extracted within 200 to 500 meter from any crucial hydraulic structure such as pumping station, water intakes, and bridges. The exact distance should be ascertained by the local authorities based on local situation. The cross-section survey should cover a minimum distance of 1.0 km upstream and 1.0 km downstream of the potential reach for extraction. The sediment sampling should include the bed material and bed material load before, during and after extraction period. Develop a sediment rating curve at the upstream end of the potential reach using the surveyed cross- section. Using the historical or gauged flow rating curve, determine the suitable period of high flow that can replenish the extracted volume. Calculate the extraction volume based on the sediment rating curve and high flow period after determining the allowable mining depth. i. Sand and gravel could be extracted from the downstream of the sand bar at river bends. Retaining the upstream one to two thirds of the bar and ripariangh Vegetation is accepted as a method to promote channel stability. j. Flood discharge capacity of the river could be maintained in areas where there are significant flood hazard to existing structures or infrastructure. Sand and gravel mining may be allowed to maintain the natural flow capacity based on surveyed cross- section history. k. Alternatively, off-channel or floodplain extraction is recommended to allow rivers to replenish the quantity taken out during mining. l. The Piedmont Zone (Bhabhar area) particularly in the Himalayan foothills, where riverbed material is mined, this sandy-gravelly track constitutes excellent conduits and holds the

greater potential for ground water recharge. Mining in such areas should be preferred in locations selected away from the channel bank stretches.

m. Mining depth should be restricted to 3 meter and distance from the bank should be 3 meter or 10 percent of the river width whichever less.

n. The borrow area should preferably be located on the river side of the proposed embankment, because they get silted up in course of time. For low embankment less than 6 m in height, borrow area should not be selected within 25 m from the toe/heel of the embankment. In case of higher embankment the distance should not be less than 50 m. In order to obviate development of flow parallel to embankment, cross bars of width eight times the depth of borrow pits spaced 50 to 60 meters centre-to centre should be left in the borrow pits.

o. Demarcation of mining area with pillars and geo-referencing should be done prior to start of mining.

The above notifications and Guidelines, being notified under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, have acquired the status of statutory Provisions and have to be followed.

GSI Guidelines-Geological Survey of India (GSI) has collated/ formulated considered geo-scientific opinions to address issues pertaining to riverbed gravel/sand mining. Besides resource extraction, ultimate objectives of riverbed mining should be:-

I. Protection and restoration of the ecological system,

II. To prevent damages to the river regime,

III. To work out the sediment influx/ replenishment capacity of the river, to restore the riverine configuration (landforms and fluvial geomorphology, such as bank erosion, change of river course gradient, flow regime, etc.),

IV. To prevent contamination of ground water regime,

V. To prevent depletion of ground water reserves due to excessive draining out of groundwater, and

VI. To restore the riparian rights and in-stream habitats.

GSI has identified major hazards caused due to mining of sand/gravel as under:

Instream habitat: The impact of mining may result in increase in river gradient, suspended load, sediment transport, sediment deposition, turbidity, change in temperature, etc. Excessive sediment deposition for replenishment/ refilling of the pits affect turbidity, prevent the penetration of the light required for photosynthesis of micro and macro flora which in turn reduces food availability for aquatic fauna. Increase in river gradient may cause excessive erosion causing adverse effect on the instream habitats. B

Riparian habitat: This includes vegetative cover on and adjacent to the river banks, which controls erosion, provide nutrient inputs into the stream and prevents intrusion of pollutant in the stream through runoff. Bank erosion and change of morphology of the river can destroy the riparian vegetative cover.

Degradation of Land: Mining pits are responsible for river channel shifting as well as degradation of land, causing loss of properties and degradation of landscape.

Lowering of groundwater table in the floodplain area: Mining may cause lowering of riverbed level as well as river water level resulting in lowering of groundwater table due to excessive extraction and draining out of groundwater from the adjacent areas. This may cause shortage of water for the vegetation and human settlements in the vicinity.

Depletion of groundwater: excessive pumping out of groundwater during sand mining especially in abandoned channels generally result in depletion of groundwater resources causing severe scarcity and affecting irrigation and potable water availability. In extreme cases it may also result in creation of ground fissures and land subsidence in adjacent areas.

Polluting groundwater: In case the river is recharging the groundwater, excessive mining will reduce the thickness of the natural filter materials (sediments), infiltration through which the ground water is recharged. The pollutants due to mining, such as washing of mining materials, wastes disposal, diesel and vehicular oil lubricants and other human activities may pollute the ground water.

Choking of filter materials for ingress of ground water from river: Dumping of waste material, compaction of filter zone due to movement heavy machineries and vehicles for mining purposes may reduce the permeability and porosity of the filter material through which the groundwater is recharging, thus resulting in steady decrease of ground water resources.

The GSI has suggested that riverbed mining may be allowed considering minimization of the above mentioned deleterious impacts. The guidelines of National Water Policy of India should also be followed which states that watershed management through extensive soil conservation, catchment area treatment, preservation of forest, increasing of forest cover and construction of check dams should be promoted. Efforts shall be made to conserve the water in the catchments. Following geo- scientific considerations have been suggested to be taken into account for sand/ gravel mining:-

1. Abandoned stream channels on terrace and inactive floodplains may be preferred rather than active channels and their deltas and floodplains. Replenishment of ground water has to be ensured if excessive pumping out of water is required during mining.

2. Stream should not be diverted to form inactive channel.

3. Mining below subterranean water level should be avoided as a safeguard against environmental contamination and over exploitation of resources.

4. Large rivers and streams whose periodic sediment replenishment capacity are larger, may be preferred than smaller rivers.

5. Segments of braided river system should be used preferably falling within the lateral migration area of the river regime that enhances the feasibility of sediment replenishment. Mining at the concave side of the river channel should be avoided to prevent bank erosion. Similarly meandering segment of a river should be selected for mining in such a way as to avoid natural eroding banks and to promote mining on naturally building (aggrading) meander components.

6. Scraping of sediment bars above the water flow level in the lean period may be preferred for sustainable mining.

7. It is to be noted that the environmental issues related to mining of minerals including riverbed sand mining should clearly state the size of mine leasehold area, mine lease period, mine plan and mine closure plan, along with mine reclamation and rehabilitation strategies, depth of mining and period of mining operations, particularly in case of river bed mining.

8. The Piedmont Zone (Bhabbar area) particularly in the Himalayan foothills, where riverbed material is mined. This sandy- gravelly track constitutes excellent conduits and holds the greater potential for ground water recharge. Mining in such areas should be preferred in locations selected away from the channel bank stretches. Areas where channel banks are not well defined, particularly in the braided river system, midstream areas should be selected for mining of riverbed materials for minimizing adverse effects on flow regime and instream habitat.

9. Mining of gravelly sand from the riverbed should be restricted to a maximum depth of 3m from the surface. For surface mining operations beyond this depth of 3m (10 feet), it is imperative to adopt quarrying in a systematic bench- like disposition, which is generally not feasible in riverbed mining.

10. Hence, for safety and sustainability restriction of mining of riverbed material to maximum depth of 3m.is recommended.

11. Mining of riverbed material should also take cognizance of the location of the active channel bank. It should be located sufficiently away, preferably more than 3m away (inwards), from such river banks to minimize effects on river bank erosion and avoid consequent channel migration.

12. Continued riverbed material mining in a given segment of the river will induce seasonal scouring and intensify the erosion activity within the channel. This will have an adverse effect not only within the mining area but also both in upstream and downstream of the river course. Hazardous effects of such scouring and enhanced erosion due to riverbed mining should be evaluated periodically and avoided for sustainable mining activities.

13. Mineral processing in case of riverbed mining of the sandy gravelly material may consist of simple washing to remove clay and silty area. It may involve crushing, grinding and separation of valueless rock fragments from the desirable material. The volume of such waste material may range from 10 to 90%. Therefore, such huge quantities of mine wastes should be dumped into artificially created/ mined - out pits. Where such tailings / waste materials are very fine grained, they may act as a source of dust when dry. Therefore, such disposal of wastes should be properly stabilized and vegetated to prevent their erosion by winds.

14. Identification of river stretches and their demarcation for mining must be completed prior to mining for sustainable development.

15. The mined out pits should be backfilled where warranted and area should be suitably landscaped to prevent environmental degradation.

16. Mining generally has a huge impact on the irrigation and drinking water resources. These attributes should be clearly evaluated for short-term as well as long-term remediation (MoWR,2017.