Jharkhand is known for its mineral deposits and natural beauty but nowadays it is getting infamous for large scale illegal mining which is also damaging the nature and making the beautiful natural sites into an ugly landscape. Hazaribagh district which is famous for its scenic beauty is rapidly losing the eye-catching natural spots due to illegal and unscientific mining going on especially in the forest areas.
Few days back, Chief Minister Hemant Soren had directed the officials to take strong action against those involved in illegal mining. After his direction, the divisional and district authorities issued directives to the concerned departments to curb this illegal practice, but barring seizure of some illegal coal, some tractors, some stone chips, FIRs against some small traders and closed units, nothing concrete has been done so far to stop this illegal trade.
Illegal coal business is going on in the area, by illegal mining and by transportation of purchased coal from coal companies to other destinations. Mining of coal is mostly dependent on those sites which were closed by coal companies.
In Hazaribagh district, illegal mining of stones for making stone chips is causing more damage to the nature. In Ichak, Padma and Barkattha blocks of the district illegal mining of stone is going on in large scale and due to it several springs, fountains and small streams of the forest areas have lost their identity and the point of attraction for tourists in past has turned into ugly irritating sites presently.
Everyone from top to bottom is aware of the fact but no one dares to stop it or raise a voice against it because the people involved in this business enjoys the support of so called high ups of the society. On one side the district and State is losing its precious natural wealth while on the other hand the wealth of those having the responsibility to check it is increasing beyond expectations.
Due to this illegal business, government is losing precious revenue daily and the State is losing its name and fame because big players from other States are continuously coming here and installing crushers having capacity of producing 10-15 trucks stone chips per hour. They only take stone storage license. Most of crushers have no mining license and no one gives pre-paid challan to the customers though it is necessary as per law.
“Forget the foolish idea of starting stone chips business legally. You will be treated as mad and will find hurdles at every step and finally you will lose your capital here. If you are serious and have some courage then forget the laws and enjoy friendly atmosphere everywhere in this non eco-friendly business,” said an official. It was the golden tip to a fresher in this business by an old stone chip trader which is enough to understand everything going on.
