The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change recently provisionally authorized the Department of Atomic Energy to conduct uranium surveys and explorations in an 83 sq km stretch of the Nallamala Forest Reserve. However, this decision faced opposition from the Telangana State Legislative Assembly, which passed a unanimous resolution requesting the Central government to refuse permission for uranium mining operations in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve portion of Nallamala forests and other areas within Telangana.
Background of the Proposed Mining Project
Approximately 63 organizations, including several environment activists and political parties, united to form the ‘Struggle Committee against Uranium Mining’. The committee’s objective is to amplify and advance the campaign ‘Save Nallamala Forest’, aiming to prohibit mining in the tiger reserve. It’s crucial to note that uranium mining in these regions also jeopardizes the existence and livelihoods of the Chenchu tribals inhabiting the Amrabad forests.
The Legal Framework Governing Uranium Mining
According to entry number 54 in List I, the Parliament has enacted ‘The Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957′. In the case of minor minerals, the Act delegates rule-making powers to the States. Since uranium is a significant mineral, it falls under the Union Government’s jurisdiction as per the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Other major minerals’ policy and legislation are overseen by the Ministry of Mines while uranium, being an atomic mineral, is regulated by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). As many mineral deposits are located in forest reserves, the approval of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change becomes imperative.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location of Uranium Deposits | Dharwar rocks, Singbhum Copper belt (Jharkhand), Udaipur, Alwar and Jhunjhunu districts of Rajasthan, Durg district of Chhattisgarh, Bhandara district of Maharashtra and Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh |
| Use of Uranium | Fuel for nuclear power reactors, manufacture of radioisotopes for medical applications, and in nuclear science research |
Uranium Mining in India
Uranium deposits in India are found in various regions. They occur predominantly in the Dharwar rocks along the Singbhum Copper belt (Jharkhand) and in the Udaipur, Alwar, and Jhunjhunu districts of Rajasthan. Other identified deposits are in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh, the Bhandara district of Maharashtra, and the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Notably, a significant quantity of reserves was recently unearthed in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, between Seshachalam forest and Sresailam (Southern edge of Andhra to Southern edge of Telangana).
Detrimental Effects of Uranium Mining
Drilling 4,000 deep holes could potentially devastate the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, which is a sanctuary for a wide range of wildlife. This exploration could pollute the surface water, groundwater, and contaminate the Nagarjunasagar Dam with toxic chemicals and minerals. Constructing roads might lead to the fragmentation and degradation of the dry forests, which might never be able to recover fully. A multitude of rare, endangered species and biodiversity could be lost. Furthermore, radiations from these mines could harm the nearby inhabitants. This has been previously observed in Jharkhand’s Jaduguda region.
About the Nallamala Forest Reserve
The Nallamala Forest Reserve is situated in the Nallamala Ranges of the Eastern Ghats. Part of this forest reserve falls within the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve – the most extensive Tiger Reserve in India. The Amrabad Tiger Reserve also lies within the Nallamala hills.
The Chenchu Tribe
The Chenchus are a Scheduled Tribe residing in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Odisha. A significant number of Chenchus live in the dense Nallamala forest of Andhra Pradesh. They are an ancient tribe whose traditional lifestyle is based on hunting and gathering. The Chenchus communicate using the Chenchu language, a member of the Dravidian language family. Their relationship with non-tribal people is largely symbiotic.