Mining Policy & Environmental Balance

UP Mining Policy 2017

The Uttar Pradesh Mining Policy 2017 was introduced to bring transparency, efficiency, and sustainability to the state’s mineral extraction sector. It replaced older ad-hoc licensing systems with a more structured framework.

Key Objectives

Major Provisions

• E-auction system — all mining leases granted through online competitive bidding, reducing corruption and middlemen
• District Mineral Foundation (DMF) — mandatory contribution by miners for welfare of mining-affected communities
• Single-window clearance — simplified approval process for minor minerals
• GPS tracking — mandatory for vehicles transporting mined material
• Environmental compliance — mining plan approval required before operations begin

Exam Tip: The District Mineral Foundation (DMF) was mandated by the central MMDR Amendment Act 2015. Miners contribute 10–30% of royalty to DMF for community welfare.

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The Illegal Sand Mining Crisis

Sand mining is arguably the most contentious mining issue in Uttar Pradesh. Rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Betwa, Ken, and Son have been subjected to rampant illegal extraction that has devastated riverbeds, ecosystems, and groundwater systems.

Scale of the Problem

Why Sand Mining Is So Harmful

• Riverbed deepening — lowers water table, dries up wells in adjacent areas
• Bank erosion — destabilizes riverbanks, causes land loss for farmers
• Aquatic habitat loss — destroys spawning grounds for fish, turtles, gharials
• Bridge and infrastructure damage — undermines foundations
• Biodiversity loss — disturbs nesting sites of birds and river dolphins

Exam Tip: The NGT (National Green Tribunal) has issued multiple orders against illegal sand mining in UP. Sand mining near bridges requires specific environmental clearance.

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Environmental Clearance Process

All mining operations in India require environmental clearance under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 (and its amendments). The process varies based on the scale of the project.

Clearance Categories

Steps in EIA Process

1. Screening — determine if EIA is required
2. Scoping — define terms of reference for the study
3. EIA Study — assess environmental impact (air, water, land, biodiversity)
4. Public Hearing — mandatory community consultation
5. Appraisal — expert committee reviews the EIA report
6. Decision — grant or reject environmental clearance
7. Monitoring — post-clearance compliance checks

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Mining Revenue Contribution

Despite its modest mineral base, UP generates significant mining revenue — primarily from minor minerals (sand, stone, gravel) rather than major minerals.

Total mining revenue to the state exchequer is estimated at ₹4,000–5,000 crore annually, though actual collection fluctuates due to illegal mining that escapes the revenue net.

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Major Challenges

1. Illegal Mining Mafias

Organized criminal networks control sand mining in several districts. They operate with impunity, often threatening or attacking enforcement officials. The state government has launched multiple crackdowns, but the problem persists due to high demand and lucrative profits.

2. Riverbed Degradation

Decades of unregulated mining have left many UP rivers shallow and silted. The Yamuna in western UP and the Ken-Betwa in Bundelkhand are particularly affected. Degraded riverbeds reduce flood-carrying capacity, increasing flood risk.

3. Deforestation

Mining in the Vindhyan and Bundelkhand regions requires forest land diversion. Despite the Forest Conservation Act 1980 mandating central approval for forest diversion, encroachment continues in some areas.

4. Community Displacement

Large-scale mining projects (such as the Singrauli coalfield expansion) have displaced thousands of families. Rehabilitation under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013 (LARR Act) has been inconsistent.

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Supreme Court Interventions

The Supreme Court of India has intervened multiple times on mining-related issues in UP:

Exam Tip: The NGT (National Green Tribunal, established 2010) has quasi-judicial powers on environmental matters and has been very active in checking illegal mining.

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Sustainable Mining Framework

Moving towards sustainable mining requires balancing economic extraction with environmental preservation:

M-sand (manufactured sand) — produced by crushing rocks — is being promoted as an alternative to river sand. UP has encouraged M-sand plants, but adoption remains low due to cost and quality perception issues.

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Rehabilitation of Mined Areas

Post-mining rehabilitation is mandated but poorly implemented. The Mining Plan requires:

• Backfilling of open-cast mines
• Plantation on overburden dumps
• Water body creation in abandoned pits
• Topsoil conservation for future reclamation

The Singrauli region has some rehabilitation projects where abandoned coal mines have been converted into water reservoirs and green belts, but these remain exceptions rather than the norm.

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Key Takeaways

• UP Mining Policy 2017 introduced e-auction, DMF, and environmental compliance
• Illegal sand mining is the biggest challenge — organized mafias, riverbed destruction
• Environmental clearance is required under the EIA Notification 2006
• Sand and minor minerals generate ~60% of UP’s mining revenue
• Supreme Court and NGT have actively intervened on mining issues
• M-sand promotion and drone surveillance are part of the sustainable mining push

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Summary Cheat Sheet