Mining activities, whether occurring within or near Protected Areas, cause a range of environmental consequences that can be severe and irreversible. Mining operations and the process of constructing new mining infrastructure often results in large-scale alteration of the environment at landscape and ecosystem levels. The clearing of vegetation is one of the most significant impacts of mining on biodiversity. Extensive mining operations have historically destroyed large areas of vegetation (AXYS 2002). Loss of vegetation cover occurs not only in the mined area but also in areas affected by associated activities such as dumping of overburden, deposition of tailings, development of infrastructure for transport and service corridors (railway lines, roads, pipelines, conveyers) and surface facilities (offices, workshops, vehicle parks, storage depots and warehouses). The excavation of the substrate materials and creation of the mine voids also alter the soil profile, hydrology, topography, and nutrient status of the substrate. These secondary factors have the potential to result in deleterious effects on the local biodiversity. At the landscape level, environmental impacts occur generally in the form of alteration of land form features and fragmentation of biological habitats that may cause isolation of populations of floral and faunal species (Brown and Dunne 1988, Banerjee 2004). Fragmentation of habitat into patches of insufficient size quality may not be able to meet a species’ requirements may and also cause loss of connectivity due to reduction in species mobility between supportive habitats. Altered patterns of stream flows and drainage pattern are also landscape level impacts resulting from mining activities (Treweek 1999, IIED and WBCSD 2002, UNEP 1994).

Impacts on wilderness area values are aggravated by noise and visual intrusion arising from both mining and secondary activities, including transportation. Human immigration in response to real or perceived livelihood opportunities that are created by mining activities often result in increased pressure on the natural resources of the area, disturbance to wildlife species, illegal hunting, habitat fragmentation and the spread of alien invasive species (IIED and WBCSD 2002). Displacement of human populations due to diversion of land for mining can also trigger unsustainable resource-use pressures in other areas allotted for human rehabilitation.

Mining operations also cause air pollution effects that are manifested as dust generation and subsequent increase in Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in the environment particularly in case of opencast mining. Mining processes can also have serious implications for the aquatic environment as the clearing of vegetation, removal of soil, extraction of large quantities of water, disposal of waste through water systems often lead to soil erosion, increased sedimentation load and alteration of watercourses. Acid drainage from mines is known to cause severe damage to the habitats of aquatic species and/or may bring about changes in the spawning grounds of fishes and habitats of aquatic species. (ERL 1993, Ghose and Majee 2001, Rajvanshi 1998, Soni et al., 1992, Treweek 1999).

The most serious environmental conflicts in the mining industry revolve around access to mineral reserves in areas recognized as habitat of significant conservation values and biodiversity richness or areas of special cultural significance. In India, at least ninety wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, and many other ecologically sensitive areas are threatened with mining activities (Vagholikar and Moghe 2003). In Goa, mining for various minerals including manganese and iron-ore threaten the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem National Park, Bondla WLS, Netravali WLS, Madei WLS, and Cotigao WLS. Gujarat, another mineral rich state, has witnessed severe conflict between mining and wildlife in the Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary which has minerals such as limestone, bauxite and lignite (WII 1996). The impacts of iron-ore mining have been documented in states such as Karnataka and Jharkhand (Singh 1999). In Karnataka, Kudremukh National Park has witnessed conflict between conservation and mining interests over the past several years (IISc 2001). Iron ore mining in elephant habitats in Singhbhum forests in Jharkhand (erstwhile part of Bihar) was found to have affected the habitat utilisation patterns by elephants, a change that could jeopardize the efforts of elephant conservation in the tracts of Singhbhum forest (Singh 1999). Stone mining in the vicinity of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, diamond mining near Panna National Park and limestone mining in Jamva Ramgarh Sanctuary are illustrative of the examples of mining projects that have posed major threats to the wildlife values of the protected areas. Impacts of mining on Western Himalayan ecosystems have also been documented (Joshi and Bhattacharya 1988, Valdiya 1988). In Himachal Pradesh, there are about 2500 mines and quarries for boulders, grit, slate, sand, limestone and other minerals. Studies have documented one national park and eleven sanctuaries with quarrying within their limits, including Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary, Khokan WLS, Rupi Bhabha WLS and Shilli WLS (Kothari 1989, Singh 1999).

In view of the environmental implications of mining activities in and around wildlife areas, the proposed limestone mining and cement plant projects of M/s Harish Cements Ltd. merits careful ecological assessment for evaluation of likely implications on the conservation values of Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary and other important wildlife habitats in the surrounds of project.