Rajasthan
Rajasthan Launches Drone Survey Against Illegal Mining
- 31 Jan 2024
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Recently, the Rajasthan government has launched a major drive against illegal mining activities by conducting surveys through drones to put a curb on the sources of such activities.
- The highest number of 75 illegal mining cases have been detected in Bhilwara district.
Key Points
- Rajasthan has as many as 81 varieties of minerals in its land, out of which 57 are being commercially exploited.
- The State has the highest number of mining leases in the country, while the government has been taking measures to curb unlicensed and illegal mining by using remote sensing data and geographic information systems.
- According to the officials, the revenue authorities had been involved in the campaign to initiate action under the Rajasthan Tenancy Act, 1955 for cancellation of khatedari (title) rights on the land where illegal mining was taking place.
- The field officers identify the mining mafia and violators and submit the data online, which is used for initiating further action.
Illegal Mining
- Illegal mining is the extraction of minerals, ores, or other valuable resources from land or water bodies without the necessary permits, licenses, or regulatory approvals from government authorities.
- It can also involve the violation of environmental, labor, and safety standards.
- Laws Related to Mining in India:
- The entry at serial No. 23 of List II (State List) to the Constitution of India mandates the state government to own the minerals located within their boundaries.
- The entry at serial No. 54 of List I (Central List) mandates the central government to own the minerals within the exclusive economic zone of India (EEZ).
- In pursuance to this Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act of 1957 was framed.
- The power to frame policy and legislation relating to minor minerals is entirely delegated to the State Governments while policy and legislation relating to the major minerals are dealt by the Ministry of Mines under the Union Government.
