District Survey Report Akola Preface In compliance to the Notification Issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change dated 15 th January, 2016, the preparation of District Survey Report of River bed mining sand other minor minerals is in accordance appendix X of the notification. It is also mentioned here that the procedure of preparation of District Survey Report is as per notification guidelines. Every efforts have been made to cover sand mining location, area and overview of mining activity in the district with all its relevant features pertaining to geology and mineral wealth in replenishable and non-replenishable areas of rivers, stream and other sand sources. This report will be a model and guiding document which is a compendium of available mineral resources, geographical set up, environmental and ecological set up of the district and is based on data of various departments, published reports, and websites. The data may vary due to floods, heavy rains and other natural calamities. Therefore, it is recommended that Sub divisional Level Committee may take into consideration all its relevant aspects/data while scrutinizing and recommending the application for EC to the concerned authority. DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT FOR RIVER SAND MINING PROJECT DISTRICT – AKOLA As per Gazette Notification of 15 th January 2016 of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change a Survey shall be carried out by the District Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA) with assistance of irrigation department, Drainage department, Forest department, Mining Department and Revenue department in the district for preparation of District Survey Report as per the sustainable Sand Mining can be allowed; and identification of areas of erosion and proximity to infrastructural structures and installations where mining should be prohibited and calculation of annual rate of replenishment and allowing time for replenishment after mining in that area. Every efforts have been made to cover sand mining locations, areas and overview of Mining activity in the district with all its relevant features pertaining to geology and mineral wealth in replenish-able and non-replenish-able areas of rivers, stream and other sand sources. The mineral potential is calculated based on field investigation and geology of the catchment area of the river or streams. Also as per the site conditions and location, depth of minable mineral is defined. The area for removal of the mineral in a river or stream is decided depending on geomorphology and other factors, it can be 50% to 60% of the area of a particular river or stream. Other constituents like clay and silt are excluded as waste while calculating the mineral potential of particular river or stream. This District Survey Report shall form the basis for application for environment clearance, preparation of reports and appraisal of projects. The report shall be updated once every five years. 1. INTRODUCTION Akola district is one of the eleven districts of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra State. It is situated in the northern part of the state abutting Madhya Pradesh and lies between north latitudes 20°16’ and 21°17’ and east longitudes 76°38’ and 77°38’. The total area of the district is 5417 sq.km. falls in parts of Survey of India degree sheets 55 C, 55 D, 55 G and 55 H. The district is bounded on the north by Madhya Pradesh State, on the east by Amravati, on the west by Buldhana district and on the south and south east by Washim district. The district headquarter is located at Akola town. For administrative convenience, the district is divided in 7 talukas viz., Akola, Barshitakli, Murtijapur, Akot, Telhara, Balapur and Patur. It has a total population of 1,818,617 as per 2011 census. The district has 7 towns and 992 villages in 542 grampanchyat out of which 120 villages are inhabited and 872 are habited villages. The district does not have any large area under extensive hill ranges. The northern extreme of the district in the foothills of Satpuda and the ghat country through which the land rises from the Purna plains to the Balaghat plateau. The major part of the district comes under Purna-Tapi basin. Purna is the main river flowing through the district. Katepurna, Uma, Morna, Man and Nirguna, which are the tributaries of the Purna. 2. Brief Details of Akola 2.1 GENERAL PROFILE Geographical Area 5417 sq. km. Administrative Divisions Taluka-7; Akola, Barshitakli, Murtijapur, Akot, Telhara, Balapur and Patur. Villages 1009 Population 16,30,239 Average Annual Rainfall 740 mm to 860 mm 2.2 GEOMORPHOLOGY Major Physiographic unit Two; Satpuda hill range and Purna plain Major Drainage One; Purna 2.3 LAND USE Forest Area 467 sq. km Net Area Sown 3878 sq. km Cultivable Area 4437 sq. km. 2.4 SOIL TYPE Medium black and deep black soil. 2.5 PRINCIPAL CROPS (2005-06) Cotton 1975.01 sq. km. Pulses 1225.31 sq. km. Jowar 868.65 sq. km. Seeds 695.22 sq. km. 2.6 IRRIGATION BY DIFFERENT SOURCES (2000-01) Nos. / Potential Created (ha) Dugwells 18729 / 44563 Tubewells/Borewells 400 / 717 Tanks/Ponds 7939 / 10726 Other Minor Surface Sources 2094 / 3407 Net Irrigated Area 28874 ha 2.7 GROUND WATER MONITORING WELLS Dugwells 81 2.8 GEOLOGY Pliestocene-Recent Alluvium Upper Cretaceous-Lower Eocene Basalt (Deccan Traps) 2.9 HYDROGEOLOGY Water Bearing Formation Basalt (Deccan Traps) fractured, jointed. Under phreatic conditions Alluvium- Sand and Gravel, Under semiconfined to confined conditions. 3. Land Utilization Pattern in the District Utilization Total Geographical Area of the District Total Area Covered Pattern Forest 5417 sq. km. 467 Sq.km. Agriculture 4764.19 sq. km. Holticulture 5500 ha Sand 37.80 ha Mining 4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AND PROJECT PROPONENT. 4.1 Aim - Akola district having major river Purna in mature stage where the flow rate is slightly low than younger stage. In this pattern, river may change its behavior from erosion to deposition. In this stage river may deposit the sand & gravels. Hydrologically if sand deposition in river bed could not be excavated regularly/ yearly basis, excessive sand thickness may causes to change the flow pattern of river that may damage the nearby crop and farms. It also affects on soil pattern of the adjoining area. To avoid the above situation and keep the flow pattern as usual on regular basis, District Mining authority, Hydrologist from Groundwater surveys and Development agency and Tehsildar doing a joint scientific survey of sand plot (Pre monsoon & Post Monsoon) and measure the depth of sand thickness, check the water level scenario of the area and without affecting any environmental specification as mention in Govt. resolution dated 12.03.2013 they recommend a sand thickness for excavation. 4.2 Period Of Project - Period of the Project is 1st October 2017 to 30 September 2018. 4.3 Monitoring Authority - Talathi, Circle Officer, Tehsildar, Sub divisional Magistrate (Revenue), District Mining Officer, Additional Collector and Collector as well as the Officer from Directorate of Geology and Mining, Nagpur Maharashtra state is the monitoring authority. Officer deputed by district authority for monitoring an illegal sand excavation and transportation is also authority. 5. Location and Geographical Area : The total geographical area of Akola district is 5417 sq.km and its only 1.76 % of Maharashtra. 65.86% area is covered by Basalt while 34.41% is covered by Purna Alluvial. The global location of the District extends between north latitudes 20°16’ and 21°17’ and east longitudes 76°38’ and 77°38’. Akola district is located in the Vidharbha region on the north eastern side of the State of Maharashtra. The district is bounded on the north by Madhya Pradesh State, on the east by Amravati, on the west by Buldhana district and on the south and south east by Washim district. 5.1 Connectivity : Railway : Important railway stations with their codes are Paras, Gaigaon, Akola Junction (AK), Murtijapur Junction (MZR) and are under Bhusawal-Badnera Section of Bhusawal Railway Division of Central Railway. The other stations under meter gauge are Hiwarkhed, Adgaon Buzurg (ABZ), Akot (AKOT), Patsul (PTZ), Ugwe (UGWE), Akola Junction, Shivani Shivpur (SVW), Barshitakli (BSQ), Lohogad (LHD), Amna Vadi (AMW), Jaulka (JUK) are under Purna - Khandwa Section of South Central Railway. The stations under narrow gauge are Lakhpuri, Murtajapur Junction, Karanja under two Narrow Gauge Branch lines viz Murtajapur-Achalpur and Murtajapur- Yavatmal of Bhusawal Railway Division of Central Railway. Roadways : The National Highway 6 runs between Mumbai-Kolkatta passes through the District, thus making markets accessible and helping trade and business in the district. 5.2 PROJECT RELATED TRIBUTARY The Purna River forms the part of north boundary of the district, and the top north portion of the district lies within its watershed along with Aas River and Shahnur River. Most of the sand plot comes Purna river and quality of sand is famous in entire Akola district as well as adjoining districts like Amravati and Washim. The Vaan River forms the part of northwest boundary of the district after entering from the Amravati district. The Man River drains the southwestern portion of the district, Morna River drains the midsouth portion of the district, while the southeast is drained by the Katepurna River and Uma River. 6. GEOMORPHOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY 6.1 GEOMORPHOLOGY AND SOIL TYPES - The northern fringe of the district is hilly and forms part of Satpura Range. South of these hill ranges, covering almost entire north-central part constitutes the Alluviam plain. • Southern part of the district is characterized by hilly rugged terrain as a part of Deccan Plateau. Purna is the main river flowing through the district. Other important rivers are Shahanur, Pathar, Aas, Morna, Man, Uma, Gandhari, Nirguna, Vishwamitri, Utawali, Katepurna, Pedhi, Vaan and Vidrupa.