Man and Mine

Minerals have always been considered to play an important role in the the economic development of every country. But the ill-effects of mining are always understated. Mining causes release of harmful elements in the air and soil leading to contamination of soil and ground water. It degrades the soil quality and fertility making it toxic for undertaking agriculture. Another major consequence of mining is large scale deforestation. In Karauli district of Rajasthan known for its ‘red stone’ years of indiscriminate mining has caused traditional water channels to disappear leaving acres of barren uncultivable land.