Supreme Court imposes ban on mining blasts near Chittorgarh Fort

Keeping in mind the history and heritage of the World Heritage Chittorgarh Fort, the Supreme Court has made a significant decision. The court imposed a ban on mining blasting within a radius of 5 kilometres from the Chittorgarh Fort on January 12. The court has made it clear that manual and mechanical valid mining will be allowed beyond the five-kilometre radius.

The Supreme Court, while considering inadequate measures taken by the Archaeological Survey of India for the protection of Chittorgarh Fort, has also suggested preparing a comprehensive conservation plan for the fort. It is hoped that these measures will help in ensuring the protection of the historic Chittorgarh Fort and its conservation for future generations. The Supreme Court has made a decision in this case pending since 2012-13.

The Supreme Court was hearing the petitions filed by Birla Corporation Limited and others against the Rajasthan High Court’s order imposing a ban on any kind of mining within 10 kilometres of Chittorgarh Fort. In its decision on Friday, January 12, the Supreme Court ordered a ban on mining within a 5-kilometre radius of Chittorgarh Fort.

The Supreme Court stated that the exploitation of mineral resources should not have an adverse impact on community welfare. In its order, the court has directed the Rajasthan government and the State Pollution Control Board to strictly enforce the Rajasthan Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 regarding the unauthorised dumping of waste and the terror of monkeys in the Chittorgarh Fort area.

The order to stop mining blasting within a 5-kilometer radius will affect stone quarries in the Mampura, Jay, and Surjana areas. Explosions from limestone quarries in the surrounding areas have posed serious challenges to the existence of Chittorgarh Fort.

The court, keeping explosions beyond a 5-kilometre radius in mind, has directed the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, under the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), to form a specialist committee for the study of the environmental pollution effects on the fort within two weeks. The court has clarified that manual and mechanical valid mining will be allowed beyond the five-kilometre radius. The bench of Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice S.V. Bhatti gave this order on the appeal of Birla Corporation.