Analyze the impact of mining activities on the local environment and the health of the surrounding communities.
Answer:
Answer by Student
Mining activities have various impacts on the local environment and the health of the surrounding communities. Some of them are:
- Land degradation : Mining causes deforestation, soil erosion, loss of fertility, and pollution of land. It also leads to the wastage of land due to dumping of mine wastes and tailings. This affects the agricultural productivity and aesthetic value of the land.
- Water pollution : Mining affects the quality and quantity of water resources. It contaminates surface and groundwater with chemicals, metals and sediments. It also lowers the water table and reduces the availability of water for irrigation and domestic use. This affects the health and livelihood of people and animals dependent on water.
- Air pollution : Mining releases dust, smoke, fumes and gases into the atmosphere. These pollutants cause respiratory diseases, asthma, bronchitis and cancer among the people living near the mines . They also contribute to global warming and acid rain by increasing greenhouse gas emissions and sulphur dioxide emissions respectively. This affects the climate and environment of the region.
- Noise pollution : Mining involves blasting, drilling, crushing, and transportation of ores and minerals. These activities create loud noise that disturbs the wildlife and human population in the vicinity of mines. Noise pollution can cause hearing loss, stress, insomnia and hypertension among the people exposed to it. It can also affect animal behavior and communication.
- Biodiversity loss : Mining destroys the natural habitats of flora and fauna in the mining areas. It leads to loss of species diversity and genetic diversity. It also affects the food chain and ecological balance of the region. This affects the conservation and sustainability of biodiversity.
- Social problems : Mining displaces the local communities from their ancestral lands. It affects their livelihoods, culture, traditions and rights. It also creates conflicts, violence, exploitation and human rights violations. This affects the social harmony and justice of the region.
Detailed Answer by Teachoo
The impact of mining activities on the local environment and the health of the surrounding communities can be analyzed as follows:
- Land degradation : Mining is one of the major causes of land degradation in India. According to a report by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), mining has affected about 1.6 million hectares of land in India. Mining causes deforestation, soil erosion, loss of fertility and pollution of land . It also leads to wastage of land due to dumping of mine wastes and tailings. For example, in Goa, mining has resulted in degradation of 8% of the total geographic area. In Jharkhand, mining has caused land subsidence and cracks in houses.
- Water pollution : Mining affects both the quality and quantity of water resources in the mining regions. Mining contaminates surface and groundwater with chemicals, metals and sediments . These pollutants affect the aquatic life and human health. Mining also lowers the water table and reduces the availability of water for irrigation and domestic use. For example, in Rajasthan, mining has polluted the Luni river with fluoride, which causes dental and skeletal fluorosis among the people. In Meghalaya, coal mining has polluted the streams with acid mine drainage, which kills fish and plants.
- Air pollution : Mining releases dust, smoke, fumes and gases into the atmosphere. These pollutants cause various respiratory diseases, asthma, bronchitis and cancer among the people living near the mines . They also contribute to global warming and acid rain by increasing greenhouse gas emissions and sulphur dioxide emissions respectively. For example, in Singrauli region of Madhya Pradesh, coal mining has caused severe air pollution that affects 3.5 lakh people. In the Korba region of Chhattisgarh, coal mining has increased the concentration of particulate matter (PM10) in the air.
- Noise pollution : Mining involves blasting, drilling, crushing and transportation of ores and minerals. These activities create a loud noise that disturbs the wildlife and human population in the vicinity of mines . Noise pollution can cause hearing loss, stress, insomnia, and hypertension among the people exposed to it. It can also affect animal behavior and communication. For example, in the Bellary district of Karnataka, iron ore mining has caused noise levels up to 85 decibels (dB), which is above the permissible limit of 75 dB.
- Biodiversity loss : Mining destroys the natural habitats of flora and fauna in the mining areas. It leads to loss of species diversity and genetic diversity . It also affects the food chain and ecological balance of the region. For example, in the Aravalli hills of Rajasthan, marble mining has threatened many endangered species such as leopards, sloth bears, chinkara etc. In the Sariska Tiger Reserve of Rajasthan, illegal mining has reduced the forest cover and tiger population.
- Social problems : Mining displaces the local communities from their ancestral lands. It affects their livelihoods, culture, traditions and rights. It also creates conflicts, violence, exploitation and human rights violations . For example, in the Niyamgiri hills of Odisha, bauxite mining has faced resistance from the Dongria Kondh tribe, who consider the hills as sacred. In Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, iron ore mining has fueled the Maoist insurgency.
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