Major Victory for Environment: 82 Illegal Black Trap Leases Shut Down, People Demand Action on All Non-Compliant Mining Leases

 

The Gujarat government has started strictly enforcing the EIA Notification 2006. Since 2006, people have repeatedly demanded that leases violating environmental laws should be shut down.

On the 18th, in the Desar Taluka area, including Udalpur, Varsada, and Jambugoral, which is home to a significant quarry industry, authorities shut down black trap leases, bringing considerable relief to the local population. This action will help mitigate the adverse effects on the environment, water, forests, land, wildlife, local life, and agriculture.

Workers employed in these black trap leases have also expressed relief.! There have been calls to the Labor Commissioner to take appropriate measures to ensure the health, safety, and provident fund (PF) benefits of the laborers working in these leases. Thousands of people are reported to work in these leases, prompting the Labor Commissioner's office to inspect all these leases.

Leaseholders who claim to provide employment must comply with all related labor laws, including provident fund allocation, fair wages, safety standards, and working conditions. There are also questions about whether the relevant departments possess documents like PF allocations, payslips, and safety training records.

For years, these leases operated without necessary approvals under the guise of development, employment, and infrastructure. Now, the absence of environmental clearance certificates for black trap leases has led to the closure of these quarries, putting the operators in a tough spot.

The National Green Tribunal has clear rulings and laws regarding environmental clearance. 

In Udalpur and surrounding areas, black stone is predominantly found in nearby rivers, and the state government issued leases accordingly. However, under GMMCR 2017, these leases have not been given supplementary deeds.

According to current government regulations, obtaining environmental clearance (EC) is mandatory for mining activities. Additionally, leases operating in water sources and CRZ areas have been canceled.

Leaseholders had timely submitted applications, but they have not yet obtained EC for black trap leases. It is essential not only to apply for EC but also to acquire it legally. On June 12, the geologist in Vadodara abruptly halted the leases, resulting in the closure of about 22 leases in Udalpur, creating a lull in the quarry industry. However, this has also prevented further environmental damage.

Leaseholders submitted a written application to the Collector in Vadodara on June 14, following an earlier application on March 4, which promised an extension for one year. With no clear resolution, a delegation from the Central Gujarat Quarry Association reached Gandhinagar to submit a petition to the Chief Minister.

The petition to the state government mentioned that 82 lease ATRs in Vadodara district have been locked, and notices have been issued to shut down the ATRs of EC leases after September 13, 2018. The public has repeatedly demanded that closed ATRs should not be reopened and that leases should only resume after obtaining EC as per the rules. Furthermore, people are demanding action on all non-compliant mining leases that have not obtained the necessary environmental clearances.