IMPACT OF LIMESTONE QUARRYING ON SOIL, ENVIRONMENT AND VEGETATIONAL BIO- DIVERSITY

Abstract

IN THIS PAPER, THE AUTHORS HAVE ENUMERATED THE ILL- EFFECTS OF QUARRYING FOR LIMESTONE IN OUTER HIMALAYAS OF DOON VALLEY WHICH ACCORDING TO THEM HAS RESULTED IN ACCELERATED SOIL EROSION, INCREASE IN PERCENT SLOPE, DECREASE IN SOIL DEPTH , POOR TEXTURE AND LOW MOISTURE RETENTION CAPACITIES. IT HAS FURTHER RESULTED IN DECREASE IN ORGANIC CARBON CONTENT IN SOIL AND INCREASE IN PH , Ca and Mg CONTENTS AND BULK DENSITY. DRASTIC CHANGES IN SOIL/ SPOIL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE MINED AREA HAVE CAUSED SOIL, WATER AND AIR POLLUTION THUS RESULTING IN ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION. THE VEGETAL DEGRADATION DUE TO DEFORESTATION CUM RETROGRESSION HAVE SHRINKED THE VEGETAL COVER TO 10% WITH VERY POOR RICHNESS OF SPECIES AND REDUCED DIVERSITY ACCOMPANIED WITH DRYING OF PERENNIAL WATER RESOURCES AND EXTINCTION OF THE ENDEMIC PTERYDOPHYTIC FERNS. THE REMAINING PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFIED HAVE BEEN CATEGORISED INTO ENDANGERED , VULNERABLE , RARE AND THREATENED . DUST PRODUCTION DURING QUARRYING BESIDE PRODUCTION OF CO2 AND CO IN THE LIMESTONE KILNS IN DOON VALLEY HAVE FURTHER AGGRAVATED THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. WATER RESOURCES OF THE AREA HAVE DRIED DUE TO MINING AND MICRO- CLIMATIC OF THE AREA HAS ALSO BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED.