Impact of industry on the environment - Limestone quarrying in Northern India

Effect of development on valley in Dun region

Principal town: Dehra Dun

Population 400,000

Main problem:

There is a water shortage every year. Most schools have to close down which affects the education of children. No-one gets a continuous water supply. Usually get 4 hours per day. Containers have to be filled when the water supply is turned off.

Reasons for water shortages:

• 1. Increase in population.
• 2. Water did come from the hills and mountains but quarrying has effected this process. For 25 years quarrying continued without quota or control.

Other problems associated with the industry:

• 1. Farm animals killed by falling rocks
• 2. Rubble and waste materials ruined the once fertile soil
• 3. Trees have been cut down. This means that when it rains the water washed the soil down the hillsides causing erosion.
• 4. Springs have dried up when they are covered by limestone. That leaves no water for watering the crops.
• 5. Increased traffic from the quarries can break up the road surface, create dust and pour fumes into the air.

What can be done to improve the situation?

An organisation called the ‘Friends of the Dun' was set up to try to put pressure on decision makers to do something about the problems.

• 1. Afforestation has been used. This is where trees are planted to stop the rain water from flowing straight off the slopes and to increase the amount of water being absorbed by the ground (infiltration).

After 7 years, large areas are now lush and green. Tourists have been attracted back to the area which is good for the local economy

• 2. Environmentally friendly quarrying. Here, limestone is dug out in terraces so that the rocks don't roll down the hill and choke water supplies. After the quarrying is over, the hills are shaped and replanted.

Unfortunately, 1000's of jobs will be lost directly and indirectly. Farming has died and so has the quarrying industry. This will mean that many of the small villages will die.

D.Drake 2008