Bauxite mining project near Gulf of Kachchh marine sanctuary gets environmental recommendation

Stock image for referential purposes only

A bauxite and marl mining project in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka district has been recommended for environmental clearance by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at its meeting on July 29, subject to several conditions.

The site is close to India's first marine wildlife sanctuary and marine national park. The proposed mine at Mevasa Block will cover more than five hectares and is located around 1.6 kilometres from the Marine Wildlife Sanctuary and about six kilometres from the Marine National Park along the southern shore of the Gulf of Kachchh. This raises questions about its environmental impact on the ecosystem.

To know the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina, explore the report "Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook"

One of the key conditions requires the project developer, L and S Company, to obtain approval for a wildlife conservation plan in coordination with the Gujarat Forest Department. The company has also been directed to adopt measures to minimise stress on wildlife and reduce the risk of human-animal conflict during mining operations.

The Marine Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in 1980 and is one of India’s richest coastal ecosystems. According to the Gujarat forest and environment department, it has large areas of extensive coral reefs, mangroves and a wide range of marine biodiversity, including more than 49 hard coral species, 421 fish species, 172 bird species and three species of sea turtles.

Explore buying & selling leads of bauxite and trade opportunities on AL Biz

The EIA says the mining lease is outside the protected area, with enough distance from the sanctuary, which acts as a natural buffer. It concludes that while mining will have some local impacts, it is not expected to seriously affect the broader ecosystem or the life cycle of species in the sanctuary.