Keonjhar: Responding to the global concern over pollution, the district administration of Keonjhar is laying emphasis on protection of the environment. Mining is a major factor responsible for pollution of air and water in the district.
All mining companies operating in Keonjhar have been asked to stick to guidelines and the administration has underscored the need for utilising District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds on projects approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
A meeting regarding this was chaired by Collector Ashish Thakare at the Mini Conference Hall here Thursday in the presence of SP Jai Narayan Pankaj, deputy director of Joda Mining Circle Sushant Kumar Nayak, mine leaseholders and representatives of mines.
The NEERI working under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has framed guidelines for protection of the environment.
A meeting was held June 21 regarding this presided over by the Chief Secretary, and it discussed ways to enforce the guidelines.
The mining firms were told to follow norms meant to protect the environment and take steps to control pollution. The district administration also wanted the firms to use their Corporate Social Responsibility funds for this.
The Collector observed that funds of the DMF will be spent on projects approved by NEERI.
The meeting discussed implementation of the guidelines framed by NEERI on environment protection and pollution control.
The guidelines have set limits to mining and air pollution. NEERI guidelines will be meant for mines producing 3 MTPA.
The administration has laid emphasis on building concrete roads from mines to main roads, parking arrangements, measures to control air pollution and the covering of mineral ores during transportation.
Emphasis was also laid on executing the master plan on upgrading Joda-Barbil road, repair of all damaged roads and four-lane work of NH-215.
Prospects of laying new rail lines and sidings in mining areas were discussed in the meeting.
Attention will be paid to the enforcement of norms set by the railways, PWD, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, forest and environment department, steel and mines department and the commerce and road transport department.
A sub-committee which was set up to look into these issues will review enforcement of the guidelines every two months.
PNN
