Digging their own grave

WITH THE run-up to the assembly elections under way in Rajasthan, one would expect senior politicians to be busy plotting campaign strategy -- and not be immersed in the problems of mining in the Aravallis. But their concern is not surprising, given the fact that mining has become one of the major issues in the elections, which are to be held later this year.

Follow Up

The mining controversy in Kataldi, Tehri Garhwal, has taken a new turn now. Even as the villagers continue their stir against the 30-year lease that they say would endanger the ecology of the region and affect their livelihood, owners of Parvitiya Mineral Industries, the lessee company, have filed a case in the local courts against three prominent agitating leaders of the region. The charge levelled against Vijay Jardhari, Kunwar Prasun and Kamal Khemka is that they tried to obstruct the firm's legitimate right to mine in the area.

Diamonds a forever

EVER since the first synthetic diamond process - the high-pressure catalytic - was perfected by General Electric i and De Beers in South Africa, the mat found many applications in industry. The remarkable mechanical prop diamond make it ideal for many pt Synthetic diamonds are extensively grinding and cutting tools and in m turing wear-resistant surfaces and evi

A meadow ruined by greed

ON AUGUST 14, 1991, the residents of Mogji Ka Kheda village near Udaipur woke up to a shocking sight: labourers digging up a part of their 17-ha community pasture. When the startled villagers, led by Godaji Gadari, confronted the labourers they learnt the workers had been employed by Udaipur mining contractor Ambalal Mali to extract marble from the pasture. The villagers were told the state mines department had leased out the land to Pankaj Rao, the son of a department employee, and Mali was mining the area on Rao's behalf.

Trapped in the past

IF SHAH Jahan's men were to return today to Makrana, from where the marble for the Taj Mahal was procured, they would have no problem recognising it. Little has changed in the small Aravalli town in Nagore district, which has become synonymous the world over with quality white marble: the town and its neighbourhood retain a medieval appearance.

A close look at mining fallouts

• The area being mined has gone up 36.5 times in the past 20 years and as a result, forest cover in the area has declined from 237.8 sq km in 1971 to 127.7 sq km. • In 1971, the entire forest cover of 237.8 sq km was classified as dense forest. Now, only 28 sq km is under dense forest and about 73 sq km is degraded forest.

Digging their own grave

WITH THE run-up to the assembly elections under way in Rajasthan, one would expect senior politicians to be busy plotting campaign strategy -- and not be immersed in the problems of mining in the Aravallis. But their concern is not surprising, given the fact that mining has become one of the major issues in the elections, which are to be held later this year.